Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said the modalities for its establishment and operation will be designed shortly
The advocates for state police scored a major victory yesterday as the Federal Government yielded to calls by states and eminent Nigerians for it.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said the modalities for its establishment and operation will be designed shortly.
President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima met with governors, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS) and ministers – FCT, Agriculture and Information – at the State House.
The emergency meeting, which was held at the Council Chambers, took decisions on how to tackle rising food costs and insecurity, among others.
President Tinubu also said more personnel would be recruited for the police force.
Ahead of that, he urged states to strengthen their forest rangers/guards.
Bandits encamp in the forests from where they launch attacks.
Kidnappers also take their victims into the forest where they are kept during negotiations for ransom payments.
The President called for collaboration to enable states to increase local food production.
He believes enough food can be produced locally to avoid imports.
President Tinubu pleaded with governors to pay salary arrears, pension and gratuities since states now get more revenue from the federation account.
“Spend the money, don’t spend the people,” President Tinubu told the governors.
The President said his administration was evolving home-grown solutions to food security challenges.
He okayed the establishment of a committee comprising governors and representatives of the Federal Government to, among others, explore the modalities for establishing state police.
The President further endorsed the training and equipping of forest rangers by sub-national governments to safeguard human and natural resources in local communities.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicly, Ajuri Ngelale, the President said: ‘’My position at this meeting is that we must move aggressively and establish a committee to look critically at the issues raised, including the possibility of establishing state police.
“From Kano, we have read reports about large-scale hoarding of food in some warehouses.
“The National Security Adviser (NSA), the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services should coordinate very closely and ensure that security agencies in the states inspect such warehouses with follow-up action.
“We must ensure that speculators, hoarders, and rent seekers are not allowed to sabotage our efforts in ensuring the wide availability of food to all Nigerians.
“What I will not do is to set a price control board. I will not also approve the importation of food.
