Governors Back State Police but Demand Strong Safeguards.

Nigerian Governors Rally Behind State Policing, Insist on Constitutional Protections and Clear Parameters.

Following extensive deliberations in Abuja, Nigeria's 36 state governors have thrown their weight behind the establishment of state police forces but not without raising critical concerns that need to be addressed before implementation.

In what turned into a marathon meeting stretching into the early hours of yesterday, the governors, under the umbrella of the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF), agreed that the current security crisis makes state policing inevitable. However, sources close to the discussions reveal that several thorny issues remain unresolved, particularly regarding the framework and funding.

The Sticking Points:

A major bone of contention revolves around who calls the shots. According to inside sources, the governors are pushing for policing to be moved from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List. This shift would empower state Houses of Assembly to legislate on policing matters rather than leaving everything in the hands of the National Assembly.

The current bill, as it stands, requires each state to seek approval from the National Assembly before establishing its police force a condition many governors find problematic. As one top source put it, "This might be applied subjectively," raising fears that political considerations could influence which states get the green light.

Funding presents another headache. The proposed three percent allocation from the Federation Account has some governors worried it would barely cover salaries, let alone equipment, training, and operational costs.

"There are constitutional safeguards already. An assessment has to be made," explained an NGF source, pointing out that a state like Kano with its massive population would naturally need more officers than smaller states. "You cannot employ police you can't pay."

No Disagreement on the Principle:

Despite these concerns, the governors remain united on the need for state police. Their communiqué, read by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, emphasized that any state police structure must be "constitutionally sound and aligned with federalism and citizens' rights."

The NGF received presentations from both its secretariat and a delegation of state Attorneys General, with the governors noting that continued consultation would strengthen their collective position.

The Devil's in the Details:

One source stressed that these aren't disagreements but rather necessary discussions to get the parameters right. Questions about what constitutes "light weapons," how many officers each state should have, and whether federal revenue allocations need adjustment are all on the table.

"Nobody is dissenting. We're just engaging and discussing to reach the parameters," the source clarified, adding that it might take up to three years before the first state police officer hits the beat after all the training, registration, and planning is complete.

Edo Governor Vows Special Courts for Kidnappers:

Meanwhile, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo took a hardline stance, advocating for special courts to fast track trials of kidnappers and cultists.

"We are going to set up a special court to try kidnappers and cultists. Within two or three weeks we are done with it, and I will sign your warrant for execution or hanging," Okpebholo declared during a parade of arrested suspects in Benin City.

He warned criminals to stay away from Edo State, adding: "I will take you to the roundabout, that is a ring road, so that the whole people will see you. And this I will not have any regrets about it."

Among those paraded was 45 year old Oluchi Ugbowan, who staged her own abduction to extort N50 million from her family. She was arrested alongside accomplices in a Delta State hotel.

Afenifere Calls for Decisive Action:

The pan Yoruba socio-political organization Afenifere has urged the federal government to be more decisive in tackling insecurity, noting that bandits from the north are increasingly terrorizing the Southwest.

National Publicity Secretary Jare Ajayi lamented that "the rate at which royal fathers are being abducted or killed in Yorubaland is very embarrassing as much as it is disturbing."

He pointed out that over 30 traditional rulers in Kwara State have abandoned their palaces, while high ranking military officers have also fallen victim.

"By ascribing the cause of the General's death to nature, the Katsina government is giving the bandits an alibi to continue to perpetrate their evil acts," Ajayi said, referring to the case of retired General Rabe Abubakar who died in captivity.

Panic in Ilorin Over Invasion Rumours:

False rumours of a bandit invasion threw Ilorin, Kwara State capital, into chaos yesterday, with parents rushing to schools to pick up their children and businesses shutting down.

The police command quickly debunked the claims, with spokesperson SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi stating that preliminary findings showed the alarm was false. Security personnel were deployed across the city to calm nerves and prevent any breakdown of law and order.

Call for Accountability:

The Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA) has demanded a comprehensive public account of the Safe Schools Initiative, questioning what has been achieved more than a decade after its launch following the Chibok girls' abduction.

Chairperson Funmi Falana, SAN, expressed concern that schools remain vulnerable to attacks and abductions despite substantial public investments in school security.