The Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya, has expressed strong support for the establishment of state police, stating it would enable governors to address security challenges within their states more effectively.
Governor Yahaya stated that the current limitations faced by state governors are due to the centralized command structure of security agencies.
He emphasized that the current system, where security commands report directly to their headquarters in Abuja, hinders prompt and effective decision-making at the state level.
”State police would allow for quicker and more localized responses to security issues, as governors would have direct control over the security personnel within their states,” he argued.
The governor expressed optimism that the state police bill, once passed by the National Assembly, would receive strong support from state legislatures.
He noted that states are already heavily involved in managing security through various local security initiatives.
Yahaya pointed out that despite being designated as chief security officers, governors often find their authority limited due to the hierarchical structure of security agencies, which requires coordination with central commands in Abuja.
He acknowledged that the creation of state police is a constitutional matter requiring legislative approval at both the national and state levels.
He expressed confidence in the support of President Bola Tinubu’s administration for the policy and anticipated swift legislative action.
Yahaya stated that the people of Gombe State, along with many others across Nigeria, support the idea of state police, believing it would bring security closer to the people and enhance local monitoring and management.
“The establishment of state police will enable state governors to tackle the security challenges in their domain more effectively.
“A situation where security agencies have their command bases situated in the centre makes it difficult for governors to exercise their powers as chief security officers of their states,” Yahaya said.
He added, “With state police, we will be able to monitor the boss and implement any decision hastily, and there will be results. That is our conviction.”
Meanwhile, former Kano Governor Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau has raised concerns about the potential exacerbation of political hooliganism with the proposed implementation of state police.
While expressing support for the concept of state police, Shekarau cautioned against arming them.
Instead, he proposed a decentralized police model akin to the Kano State Hisbah Board, which he said he utilized to address social vices while he was governor.
