Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, has proposed the merger of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) into a department under the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) instead of establishing a State Police structure.
Egbetokun made this assertion during his remarks at the National Dialogue on State Policing organized by the House of Representatives in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) held in Abuja on Monday.
Represented by Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Ben Okolo, the IGP also called for an increase in yearly police recruitment by at least 30,000 to meet United Nations (UN) standards. He emphasized the need for enhanced budgetary allocations to the Nigerian Police to ensure effective training of personnel in modern policing techniques, thereby boosting efficiency.
Expressing concerns over the potential misuse of state police structures for political or personal gains by governors, Egbetokun warned against exacerbating ethnic tensions in the country by establishing state police at the moment.
Citing challenges such as inadequate manpower, operational equipment, training facilities, and office accommodations, the IGP advocated for addressing these issues rather than creating state police. He recommended merging NSCDC and FRSC into the Nigeria Police Department, along with increasing recruitment and budgetary allocations for the Force.
Similarly, Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Geidam, acknowledged the importance of state police for local security but cautioned against potential political interference and human rights abuses. He stressed the need for oversight mechanisms to minimize interference and ensure accountability.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in developing policies and strategies to enhance national security infrastructure. He emphasized the necessity of an inclusive security framework, including the establishment of state police, while encouraging constructive dialogue and collective decision-making to address security challenges effectively.
