16 governors back state police, submit reports to FG

 Sixteen state governors have submitted reports expressing their support for establishing state police to the National Economic Council.

 

This was revealed in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Vice President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, on Thursday.

 

The reports were received at the 140th NEC meeting presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

 

Nkwocha said the Secretary to NEC, Nebeolisa Anako, made a presentation on submissions by states on the state police initiative.

 

The governors also recommended changes to the constitution to allow for the creation of state police.

 

No details were given about the specific states.

 

The Vice President’s spokesperson assured that the total number would be presented at the next NEC meeting even as “the compilation is still going on”.

 

Recall that governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had on February 12 restated their position on state policing as the solution to the country’s worsening security situation, lamenting that Nigeria is “almost on the road to Venezuela”.

 

Also, regional socio-political groups such as Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Middle Belt Forum, and the Northern Elders’ Forum, have repeatedly called for state police as a solution to the myriad of security challenges confronting the nation.