Senator Arise Urges Public Education On State Police

Amid renewed calls from President Bola Tinubu for a constitutional amendment to accommodate state police, APC chieftain Senator Ayodele Arise has urged the Presidency to work with state governors to educate the public and secure buy‑ins from sceptics.

Senator Arise made the remarks on a programme monitored on Arise TV yesterday.

At an interfaith breaking of fast with senators at the State House in Abuja, President Tinubu said the time had come for lawmakers to “start thinking” about embedding state policing in the Constitution so subnational governments can better secure their territories. He said: “Nigeria is extremely challenged. We are facing terrorism, banditry, insurgency… What I will ask for tonight is for you to start thinking how best to amend the Constitution to incorporate state police for us to secure our country, take over our forests from marauders, free our children from fear.”

The senator said effectively communicating the benefits of state policing was essential, noting the issue has long been contentious and opposed by some parts of the country.

He said: “In the interest of our country and in response to the security challenges we face, President Tinubu has seen the merit in state policing, which is the best way to deter criminals and the cells that exist in our communities without us even knowing.

“Local police can more easily identify unusual situations, put intelligence to work and investigate before damage is done, because they know the community and relate to everyone as if to family. That has been the major attraction of state and local policing.”