Governors Say State Police Must Respect Citizens' Rights

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) says any plan for State Police must follow the constitution and respect true federalism.

They made this known in Abuja on Thursday, stressing that the new police force should also protect the basic human rights of citizens.

The group shared this information in a statement signed by its Chairman, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, at the end of their meeting in Abuja. Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State read the statement.

The governors mentioned that they are in talks with the attorneys-general of all 36 states to look into the necessary constitutional changes for setting up state police.

"The forum received a presentation from the NGF Secretariat and a group of the Honourable Attorneys-General of the States on efforts to support the establishment of State Police in Nigeria," they said.

They highlighted that there is a focused discussion with the attorneys-general to review the proposed constitutional amendments and frameworks.

The governors stressed the importance of ensuring that the state police is constitutionally valid and matches the principles of federalism and citizens' rights.

The forum acknowledged the teamwork in this effort and said that the results of the consultation would help strengthen the states’ united position on this matter.