President Muhammadu Buhari has dismissed calls for state police in Nigeria, saying it is not an option.
Buhari this position known during an interview with Channels TV on Tuesday night.
There have been calls by several Governors for state police as a way to solve insecurity and banditry across the country.
While speaking in an interview with Channels TV, the President averred that there is a higher chance of state governors; abusing their powers if the police force is removed from the Federal control and handed over to states.
“State police is not an option. Find out the relationship between local government and the Governors. Are the third tier of government getting what they are supposed to get constitutionally? Are they getting it? Let the people in local government tell you the truth; the fight between local governments and the Governor,” he said.
Commenting on the security situation in the country, Buhari said traditional rulers must play a huge role in bringing peace to communities.
“The role of traditional rulers must not be undermined, because in their areas they know who is who; even by families, not to even talk of individuals. So, we have to revert to that system for us to have effective security in the localities.
“For example, there were two Governors that came to see me about problems – Oyo state and one other state – because the herders were in their forests but the animals were going into the neighboring farms, and eating the crops; I said, as far as I know, the farmers and herders have been co-existing in Nigeria for generations. Let them go and ask the local leadership what has gone wrong; why the break in communication between the local leadership and the herders,” he said.
Speaking on the traditional rulers, he added: “The role of traditional rulers must not be undermined, because in their areas they know who is who, even by families, not to even talk of individuals.
“So, we have to revert to that system for us to have effective security in the localities.”
Asked about his view in an interview in May 2018 about governors’ demand for state police, Buhari said: “I want the Nigerian Constitution to be consulted first and see what it says. If it says they should be allowed, then they should be allowed but don’t forget, how many times did we have to release the money to states in the name of bailouts to enable them to pay salaries?
“How many states can pay their workers in time? And you add the police to them? People should look at this matter very well.”
Speaking further on why he was not convinced about the idea of state police, he added: “No, I am not convinced. We should have solved the current insecurity in the northeast and South-south by now. Can the states be able to shoulder the burden of the police?
“You cannot just give someone guns and ammunition, train him, and refuse to pay him, you know what will eventually happen.”
