Ex-NDLEA Boss Frowns At Establishment Of State Police
A former Deputy Commander General of NDLEA, Sule Momodu, has described the proposed creation of state police as “a disaster waiting to happen,” urging President Bola Tinubu to address existing challenges within the current policing structure instead of establishing another layer of law enforcement.
On Friday, Tinubu urged the House of Representatives to ensure that the proposed amendment creating state police incorporates safeguards to prevent potential abuse by state governors.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Saturday, Momodu said the reason often advanced for state police is the perceived underperformance of existing law enforcement agencies.
However, he questioned whether necessary reforms within the current system have been fully implemented.
“State police is a disaster waiting to happen. We shouldn’t go there at all. Why are we talking about state police? The first issue is the governors; they say that Commissioners of Police don’t take instructions from them. That is the origin. If the issue is that governors cannot effectively direct Commissioners of Police, then amend the relevant constitutional provisions rather than creating another layer of policing.
“Another issue for the call for the state police, is maybe the police is not functioning very well and all the rest. But the question is, are there things we need to do that we have not done.
“If we believe the law enforcement agencies are not working very well, why are they not working very well? What are the issues? Those issues need to be addressed. It is when you have addressed those issues that you can now start thinking of state police,” he said.
He further urged the president to assess operational challenges, including the condition of vehicles and other logistics available to law enforcement agencies, as part of efforts to strengthen internal security.
According to him, many of the challenges facing the police stem from poor implementation of existing regulations, frequent transfers of Commissioners of Police, inadequate funding, and poor welfare.
Congratulating the new Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu on his appointment, he described the IG as a determined officer capable of transforming the Nigeria Police Force into a people-friendly institution.
“I congratulate the new Inspector-General of Police on his appointment. From what I have read about him, he appears ready to restore law and order and truly make the police the friend of the people,” he said.
He urged the IG to ensure the immediate implementation of Section 20 of the Police Act, which provides that no police officer should earn less than officers in other better-paid law enforcement agencies, to boost morale and professionalism within the Force.
He also called for the activation of provisions in the Act that allow for the engagement of special “spy police” personnel for VIP protection and guarding of premises, with the cost of training and salaries borne by requesting organisations rather than the Federal Government.
