IGP Sets Up Committee on State Policing

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on Wednesday inaugurated a Committee on State Policing in Abuja and gave it four weeks to produce a working plan for the possible operation of state police in Nigeria.

The event took place at the Force Headquarters, where Disu said the committee was formed in response to growing security challenges across the country.

He stated that Nigeria’s security situation requires new ideas, cooperation among stakeholders and reforms that will make policing closer to communities.

According to him, the committee has been asked to design a practical framework for state policing without weakening the existing national security system.

He said members would study policing systems within Nigeria and in other countries, examine the security needs of local communities, consider possible risks and suggest how state police structures could be created and coordinated.

The Inspector-General explained that the committee would also examine recruitment methods, training guidelines, funding, accountability and oversight measures to ensure discipline and public confidence.

He added that decentralising some policing duties could allow state and local authorities to handle security matters in their areas more effectively, while the Federal Government focuses on national security concerns.

He noted that concerns about possible misuse of state police by governors would be considered during the committee’s work. He said lessons would be drawn from countries that already operate state policing systems.

The committee is chaired by Prof. Olu Ogunsakin and includes retired and serving senior officers such as CP Emmanuel Ojukwu, CP Bode Ojajuni, DCP Okebuchi Ogora, ACP Ikechukwu Okafor and CSP Tolulope Ipinmisho, among others.

They are expected to submit their report within four weeks.

Meanwhile, Deputy Inspectors-General who served under the former Inspector-General, Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, attended a separate strategic meeting convened by Disu in Abuja.

Those present included DIGs Frank Mba, Sadiq Abubakar, Basil Idgwu, Bzigu Kwazhi, Gumel, Fayoade and Adeola Hamzat.

It was gathered that the Police Service Commission has not yet announced any decision regarding the status of these senior officers. By tradition in the Force, officers who are senior to a newly appointed Inspector-General are expected to retire.

As of the time of the meeting, no official statement had been issued concerning their retirement.