The Governors’ Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has thrown its weight behind the call for the creation of State Police, saying it will address the current security challenges confronting the country.
The Chairman of the forum, Governor of Bauchi State Bala Mohammed, said this on Thursday when he led his colleagues to a visit to Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau at the Government House in Jos.
Mohammed, while decrying the rising security challenges across the country, advocated for the creation of state police that would complement the efforts of the conventional security agencies.
He said state police will provide an opportunity for governors to handle the security situation in their respective states with ease.
”The ratio of police to citizens is very low and the Governors know the peculiarity of their states and how to tackle this challenge.
”So, we have been advocating for this.
“There is a need for the decentralisation of the security apparatus so that we can deliver good governance by having state police.
”Again, it will allow us to engage the structure of the security agencies, training our youths and making sure the rules of engagement are not abused and there is no extrajudicial killings.
”We will work in tandem with the established best global practice rather than being forced to be using vigilantes and even at that we are working with the security agencies, but we are still being accused of pursuing our interest.
”We can see what is happening in Zamfara and the Amotekun in the South-West where citizens are sleeping with their eyes closed,”.
Meanwhile, Mutfwang thanked his colleagues for the solidarity visit, adding that it would further encourage the people to be firm at all times.
”Insecurity has become a serious challenge for us in this country and this is largely due to the neglect of previous governments.
”No one has been jailed in the past for these killings, which is why it has lingered.
”But we are not deterred. We will rebuild trust in our people because the lack of it has been one of the major issues,” Mutfwang said
Those on the visiting team include Govs. Ademola Adeleke of Osun, Sheyi Makinde of Oyo State, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Peter Mbah of Enugu State and Godwin Obaseki of Edo were part of the visit.
The forum donated N100 million to Plateau Government to support the victims of recent attacks in the state.
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