The National Economic Council (NEC) has issued a one-week ultimatum to Kwara, Adamawa, Kebbi States, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to submit their reports on the establishment of state police. The failure of these states and the FCT to comply may delay the implementation of the long-anticipated policy aimed at addressing insecurity across Nigeria.
Background
The NEC, as part of its efforts to combat the escalating insecurity in the country, had resolved to gather comprehensive reports from all 36 states and the FCT on the framework for establishing state police. The decision aligns with the recommendation made by state governors and supported by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who, on February 15, 2024, endorsed state police as a viable solution to Nigeria’s security challenges.
States were tasked with submitting their individual recommendations and proposals to guide NEC’s deliberations and inform the next steps in actualizing state police.
NEC’s Warning
In its latest meeting, NEC reiterated that any state or territory that fails to meet the submission deadline would have to abide by decisions made without its input. This serves as a final reminder to Kwara, Adamawa, Kebbi, and the FCT to comply before the one-week deadline elapses.
Implications
The creation of state police is seen as a critical step in decentralizing Nigeria’s security architecture, granting states the autonomy to manage localized security issues. However, the delay caused by non-compliance from some states and the FCT could hinder progress, delaying deliberations and subsequent implementation of the policy.
NEC emphasized the importance of collective input to ensure that the framework for state police is inclusive, effective, and tailored to the specific needs of each state and region.
Conclusion
As the deadline approaches, all eyes are on Kwara, Adamawa, Kebbi, and the FCT to comply and ensure that the critical process of establishing state police remains on track. The move toward decentralizing law enforcement is considered a significant reform in Nigeria’s efforts to address its multifaceted security challenges.
