Prominent Lawmaker Rejects State Police, Mentions Better Alternative
- Plateau lawmaker Yusuf Gagdi rejects proposal for state police, warning it could be exploited by governors for political purposes
- Gagdi urges increased funding and accountability for existing security agencies to combat rising banditry and kidnappings
- Calls for federal clearance operations across Plateau, Taraba and Bauchi border forests to flush out armed criminals
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Rep. Yusuf Gagdi has dismissed renewed calls for the creation of state police, insisting that Nigeria is not prepared for such a system.
The lawmaker, who represents Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency of Plateau State, made his position clear during a visit to communities in Kanam Local Government Area where bandit attacks and kidnappings have surged in recent weeks.
Source: Facebook
Plateau lawmaker rejects state police plan
Residents of Garga, Kukawa, Kyaram, Gyambau, Dungur and Shuwaka have reported frequent incidents of abduction and other violent crimes, prompting concerns over the effectiveness of current security measures.
Gagdi said the answer lies in strengthening existing federal security agencies rather than introducing new ones.
“My position, even on the House floor, is that governors will misuse state police, particularly against political opponents, not to maintain peace and order,” he said.
“Nigeria is not ripe for proliferation of security agencies.
Fund the police, military, Department of State Services and others adequately, and ensure accountability.”
Gagdi calls for stronger federal security
The lawmaker warned that state-controlled security outfits could become tools of political intimidation.
Source: Twitter
He urged the Federal Government to provide better funding, equipment and oversight for the police, military and intelligence agencies to improve their capacity to tackle crime.
Gagdi also called for immediate clearance operations in forests along the Plateau, Taraba and Bauchi borders to dislodge criminal groups hiding in remote areas. He advised residents to remain vigilant and defend themselves within the limits of the law while cooperating with legitimate security personnel.
According to him, expanding resources for existing agencies and enforcing accountability will deliver more reliable protection for Nigerians than creating state police forces that could be abused by governors for partisan purposes.
“I Have to Create State Police”: Tinubu Speaks
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said his administration will create state police to decentralised the police force. Tinubu declared that the security challenges confronting the country are not insurmountable.
Tinubu stated this when he received a delegation led by Katsina State, Dikko Radda, on Tuesday, at the presidential villa in Abuja.
Legit.ng earlier reported that Tinubu declared the creation of state police as a national necessity. Tinubu called for an immediate overhaul of Nigeria’s security framework through constitutional reform to address Nigeria’s growing security crisis.
Read more stories on state police and Tinubu:
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Governor Alia Calls for State Policing, Anti-Open Grazing to Tackle Insurgency
"Nigeria Not Ripe for State Police," Says IGP Egbetokun, Security Expert Disagrees, Explains
36 States Assembly Speakers Endorse State Police
Legit.ng earlier reported that federal lawmakers took a stance on the establishment of state police in Nigeria under Bola Tinubu's led government.
The development has received a major boost as the 36 Speakers of State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria on Thursday, May 16, backed the creation of state police in Nigeria
The Speakers made their position known at a meeting in Abuja and sent an important message to the leadership of the National Assembly.
Source: Legit.ng
