Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has intensified advocacy for the establishment of state police, describing it as a critical solution to Nigeria’s escalating security challenges.
The governor appealed while inaugurating the North-Central zonal public hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution in Jos on Friday.
Addressing the gathering, Mutfwang characterised Nigeria’s security situation as a growing “cancerous growth” eroding national unity.
He noted that while insecurity manifests differently across regions – including insurgency in the Northeast, secessionist agitations in the Southeast, and organised crime in the Southwest and South-South – the common thread remains escalating violence against citizens and property.
“The need for state police has become the elephant in the room that we must address,” Mutfwang stated. “As responsible leaders, we cannot remain silent on this pressing issue that affects all Nigerians.”
The governor emphasised that the current centralised policing system has proven inadequate to address the country’s complex security landscape.
Mutfwang’s proposal comes amid persistent attacks in Plateau State and other North-Central regions, where communal violence and farmer-herder clashes have claimed hundreds of lives. He argued that state police would enable more responsive and localised security interventions tailored to each region’s unique challenges.
The constitutional review hearing provides a platform for stakeholders to deliberate on structural reforms, including potential amendments to facilitate state policing.
While some critics express concerns about potential abuse, proponents like Mutfwang maintain that proper safeguards can be instituted to ensure accountability while addressing Nigeria’s security emergency.
The governor’s remarks reflect growing consensus among state executives that decentralised policing may be imperative to restore stability across Nigeria’s diverse communities.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
