El-Rufai: After EndSARS, It’s Time For State Police

Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai has pointed the need for the establishment of State policing as a pertinent part of police reformation post-EndSARS.

The governor made this call during a closed-door meeting with governors of the 19 northern states, Chief of Staff to the President, the Senate President, Senators, Ministers, the Inspector-General of Police, traditional rulers and other senior officials at the Council Chamber of Sir. Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna on Monday.

Advertisement

The meeting was aimed at discussing security matters in the north including the destruction of lives and properties following the EndSARS protests that rocked parts of the country.

The governor said the recent crisis that followed EndSARS Protests has exposed the inadequacy of the numbers, ordinance, training and unitary structure of the police.

“Is it not time to make the establishment of state police a key part of policing reforms?

“Is this not an opportunity for a redesign of the security architecture in a collaboration between the states and the national government to vastly expand police numbers, equipment and technology?” El-Rufai said.

Advertisement

The governor’s view comes on the heels of the EndSARS protest where youths across the country demanded reformation of the police system.

He said the economic damage from the recent tragic events would exacerbate the shrinkage unleashed by COVID-19, with severe impact on jobs and livelihood while also exposing the ascent in “public discourse of a new sort of relativity that is able to justify anything.

“In our view, it is an understatement to describe the last few weeks as challenging moments for our country. A cry by the youths for reform of policing has somehow snowballed into tragic events and a challenge to the authority of the Nigerian state.

“Many of the northern states are confronting a variety of security challenges. Criminal activities by bandits threaten both rural and urban communities. Bandits have openly tried to crush the rural economy by attacking farmers in their fields, and in their homes.”

“As we deliberate today, it is our hope that the discussions will reflect on the specific impact of recent events on our region and what we can do to mitigate the damage and press forward in securing our communities and advancing social and economic development.” – El-Rufai said.

Leave a comment

Advertisement