Ex-rep: Security agencies overwhelmed — state police long overdue

Dachung Bagos, a former member of the house of representatives, says Nigeria is long overdue for a state police system. 

In a statement issued on Monday, the former lawmaker said the federal security agencies are overwhelmed and need the support of state police.

Bagos, who represented Jos east/Jos south federal constituency of Plateau in the lower legislative chamber, condemned the killings of four persons by armed men in Miango, Bassa LGA on Sunday.

He said the uptick in attacks and killings of residents in the north-central state by assailants was “barbaric and callous” and must be put to an end by security agencies.

“I am saddened by the killing of yet another four people on Monday in two villages of Miango District in Bassa LGA of Plateau state. This is most barbaric and callous. I call on the security agencies to up their game and put an end to this carnage,” the statement reads.

“I am appealing to the federal government to deploy more security operatives in these troubled areas and take decisive steps in ending this continuous killing of our people in Plateau state. These bandits and assailants must be stopped in their tracks.”

The former legislator asked the national assembly to include state police in the ongoing constitution amendment process.

“Nigeria is long overdue for state police and I can assure you, it is the sure way to containing the excesses of terrorist groups killing, maiming and kidnapping with reckless abandon,” he added.

“In Plateau state, we are ready and prepared to float the state police because we are gradually being annihilated by killer herdsmen and terrorists who are being addressed as bandits.

“It is now clear to everyone that the federal security concerns are overwhelmed and desperately need help.

“State police will checkmate the ravaging insecurity because it will be populated by indigenes of the various states and communities, who are conversant with their environments and the inhabitants. This will make it easier to fish out criminal elements and invaders.”

Addressing concerns that state police may be abused by governors, Bagos said the constitution “will clearly define everybody’s role and will guard against abuse and interference not just from the governors but by other stakeholders”.

“Also, for those who argue that states may not be able to fund state police, they should note that even today, many states are contributing heavily in funding the federal police through the provision of vehicles, office accommodation and other equipment,” he said.

“The state police will only complement the federal police. Community policing alone is not enough.

“If we must tackle the high level of insecurity ravaging our communities, state police is the way to go and the time is now because it is long overdue.”

Bagos was one of the lawmakers controversially sacked by the appeal court in the Plateau national assembly election dispute.