Buhari, Ortom Disagree On Establishment Of State Police

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has once again called for the establishment of State Police in the country.

Ortom made the call on Wednesday while addressing newsmen at the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi on measures taken by his administration to curb incessant killings in the State.

The governor said as Chief Security Officer of the state, he lacks the authority to order the police or soldiers to take certain actions.

He explained that the state vigilante group instituted by the state are mostly unarmed, hence are unable to combat the marauding attackers, who are believed to be well armed.

The governor was of the opinion that if established, officers of the State Police would be adequately trained and equipped to have the capacity to combat any security challenge.

“State Police would greatly complement efforts of the Federal security agencies in nipping the lingering security challenge in the bud,” he said.

Ortom’s call comes days after President Muhammadu Buhari kicked against the establishment of state police nationwide.

Speaking in an interview with Voice of America, on Tuesday, the President said the establishment of state police will be a burden to governors, as many of them are unable to pay salaries.

“How many states can pay salaries promptly,” Buhari asked.

“We must carefully look at the position of the nation’s constitution on the issue of state police before we take final decision on the matter if the constitution allows state police, so be it.

“But don’t forget that many times the federal government gave out what we referred to as bail out to state governments for payment of workers’ salaries. How many states can pay salary promptly? And you want to add more financial burden to the states?

“It is not proper to employ a person, train him on how to handle weapons and then refuse to pay him – you can imagine what would happen in such situation. We will put in place more measures to check insecurity in the country including increasing the number of policemen and train them.”

Most governors in the country have expressed support for the establishment of state police, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) restructuring committee also recommending it as a measure to address the nation’s security challenges.