El-Rufai: #EndSARS crisis shows the time is ripe for state police

Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state, says recent happenings in the country have shown that the time is ripe for state police.

Speaking at a meeting of governors, ministers, lawmakers and traditional rulers in the north, el-Rufai said state police should be part of police reforms.

Mohammed Adamu, inspector-general of police, is among those attending the meeting at the government house, Kaduna.

“Is it not time to make the establishment of state police a key part of policing reforms? Has the recent crisis not exposed again the inadequacy of the numbers, ordinance, training and unitary structure of the police in a federation?” he asked.

“In our view, it is an understatement to describe the last few weeks as challenging moments for our country. A cry by the youths for reform of policing has somehow snowballed into tragic events and a challenge to the authority of the Nigerian state.

“The economic damage from the recent tragic events is sure to exacerbate the shrinkage unleashed by COVID-19, with severe impact on jobs and livelihoods.”

El-Rufai also lamented about the insecurity in the north, saying there is need to tackle the situation effectively.

“Many of the northern states are confronting a variety of security challenges. Criminal activities by bandits threaten both rural and urban communities,” he said.

“Bandits have openly tried to crush the rural economy by attacking farmers in their fields, and in their homes. We welcome the intensification of ground and air action against the bandits, and thank the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of the Air Staff, and the Inspector-General of Police for these operations. But is it not time to make the establishment of state police a key part of policing reforms?

“Has the recent crisis not exposed again the inadequacy of the numbers, ordinance, training and unitary structure of the police in a federation? Is this not an opportunity for a redesign of the security architecture in a collaboration between the states and the national government to vastly expand police numbers, equipment and technology?

“As we deliberate today, it is our hope that the discussions will reflect on the specific impact of recent events on our region and what we can do to mitigate the damage and press forward in securing our communities and advancing social and economic development.”