Ekweremadu Renews Call For State Police

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu has said that the only way to address current security challenges in the country will be through the introduction of state police.

Ekweremadu made the statement in Enugu on Wednesday at the Distinguished Service Lecture entitled, “ Nigeria and the Contemporary Character of Global Insecurity’’, organised by Enugu Sports Club.

Ekweremadu said the imperatives of state police in Nigeria were not just a security issue but touched on the character of “our federalism”, especially the devolution of powers between the centre and the peripheries.

“Even the ordinary Nigerian appreciates the fact that a unitary police system has not and cannot provide adequate security for Nigerians and their property,’’ he said.

Ekweremadu noted that Nigeria was virtually the only country of its size and population and possibly the only known federal entity that operated a single and unitary police system.

He cited the U.S., India, Australia and Canada as countries where decentralised policing system had helped to curb crimes because it gave them advantage of being rooted in a particular environment and closer to the people.

“Nigeria has come of age and it is high time we did away with policies that have backfired and things that have tended to compromise progress, and unitary police is one of them.

“It is no longer news that our centralised police force is disgustingly understaffed,’’ the deputy Senate president said.

He stressed the need for building security infrastructure and manpower by spending heavily on equipment, such as close circuit television (CCTV) camera monitors, and training of security agents.

Ekweremadu also called for the creation of more job opportunities for the citizens and the introduction of a social security system as well as judicial and prison reforms.

He said that the National Assembly was committed to making laws for the peace, order and good governance of the federation, and in addition would make adequate budgetary provisions to enhance security in the country.

Earlier, the Chairman of Enugu Sports Club, Mr Willie Nnorom, commended Ekweremadu for facilitating the upgrade of Akanu Ibiam Airport and other facilities in the Southeast zone.

The event was attended by politicians, traditional rulers and members of the club.