APC Youth Leader Advises Federal Govt Against Politicians Hijacking State Police

The youth ;eader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Hon. Innocent Ajaelu, has called on the federal government not to allow politicians to hijack the yet-to-be-created state police.

Ajaelu, who made the call while speaking with LEADERSHIP in Port Harcourt yesterday, said that if politicians are allowed to hijack the system, they could use the institution against perceived political opponents.

“I support the creation of State Police, and I believe it will help in tackling insecurity in Nigeria. I appeal to Mr President to use his political will, the same way he has been using it to push for the creation of State Police.

“State Police must not be used by politicians to witch-hunt or undermine their political opponents,” he said.

The APC youth leader described State Police as the best option for Nigeria at this time to tackle insecurity, noting that most crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery and other social vices originate within communities.

Ajaelu said: “First, let me say this: I have said time and again that State Police, whether you call it native police or neighbourhood police , is the best option for Nigeria today in the fight against insecurity.

“The insecurity we are talking about, whether kidnapping, armed robbery or other social vices, originates from communities.

“In a given community , take my community, Obeakpu in Oyigbo Local Government Area as an example , there is virtually nobody I do not know in that village. Even if you are a stranger who moves into Obeakpu today, within one week, if I do not know you personally, I will know the person whose house you are living in because that person is an indigene.

“So whatever you are doing, if you commit any wrongdoing and we cannot apprehend you immediately, we will hold the person harbouring you. The same applies to parents because those committing crimes in the village have parents or guardians. If we cannot immediately find the culprits, we know their families.”