Northern Governors Back Creation Of State Police

The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has reaffirmed full support for the creation of state police as part of efforts to tackle the worsening insecurity in the region and across the country.

Isma’ila Uba Misilli, director-general on Press Affairs to the Chairman of the NSGF and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, stated this to LEADERSHIP on Thursday.

Yahaya said the governors had already taken a clear position on the creation of State police.

“On the issue of state police creation, as far as Northern governors are concerned, they have already made their position known when they met with the traditional leaders in Kaduna.”

He said the governors of the 19 Northern States, during the meeting, unanimously supported and adopted the creation of the state police to join other forces in curtailing the menace.

The governors also called on the National Assembly to fast-track action for the provision of laws that would enable its establishment.

“They unanimously adopted it and asked the National Assembly to expedite action on it. So now it’s not within their own mandate, but it is with the National Assembly to provide a law for its establishment.

“The forum is fully in support of the creation of the state police,” Misilli stated.

The position of the Northern governors followed growing calls from influential groups in the region.

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) had earlier lamented that the North has been pushed to the wall and must defend itself.

Similarly, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) on Wednesday, urged President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on security in the region.

A day earlier, governors from the six North-East states comprising Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe, met with President Tinubu in Abuja, where they decried the worsening insecurity in some parts the region, calling for more decisive action.

By aligning with the push for state policing, the northern governors’ forum has joined several voices demanding reforms in Nigeria’s security architecture.