The Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions at the National Assembly, Senator Neda Imasuen, has called for establishing state policing as a panacea to the increasing insecurity in Nigeria.
He advocated while speaking to journalists during an empowerment programme he organised in Benin City, the State capital.
The Senator lamented the growing threat posed by armed groups, particularly in the southern part of the country, where the invasion of individuals from other regions has raised alarms about their true intentions.
He questioned whether these individuals were indeed Nigerians, suggesting that not all may be citizens, which has exacerbated fears and tensions in local communities.
“These people say they are hunters, but can there be more hunters than the southerners? I don’t think so.
“For you to leave your region and come deep into the southern forests and claim to be hunting is highly questionable.
“What do they do with the game they hunt? I don’t see a market where they sell their exploits. It’s confusing to me,” he said.
While drawing attention to the inadequacy of the current policing structure, Senator Imasuen advocates for policing at the state level to address these issues more effectively.
He argued that, with the vast size of Nigeria and the limitations of the national police force, state and even local governments should have their own police forces to ensure the safety of their communities.
He said, “Other countries have local governments with their police forces. We’ve seen in the western part of Nigeria with the Amotekun Security Network, where trained vigilantes work effectively to protect their communities.
“State police would help us save our homes, streets, and forests. The Nigerian Police Force is overstretched and cannot cover every nook and cranny of the country.”
While acknowledging that state policing comes with advantages and challenges, the Senator insisted that the benefits far outweigh the risks.
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