Zamfara Governor: State Police Will Empower Leaders to Fight Insecurity

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has said that state police will help tackle insecurity in Nigeria. He believes it will give governors real power as chief security officers of their states.

He shared this view while speaking at the Arise News Town Hall Summit. The event was about building national agreement on state police and national security. It took place today at the Thisday Dome in Abuja.

Governor Lawal pointed out that insecurity has continued in the states. He said this is because the command and control of security is not under the governors.

He explained that if state governments handle the security of lives and property, the police will be better equipped. They will also have more personnel to fight crime.

"We’re being called chief security officers of our respective states; however, the command and control structure is not under the governors," he said.

"I am happy with the recent development of state police because it allows us to keep to our responsibilities. It also lets our people hold us accountable for the security situation in our respective states," the governor added.

He further stated, "I strongly believe that, by the time we have state police, it will go a long way in solving a lot of the challenges. We can then truly be called chief security officers of our respective states."

The governor dismissed worries about possible abuse by state executives. He mentioned that almost every state has one or more security agencies. None of these outfits has been used to oppress opposition, he said.

Still, he urged lawmakers to create rules to prevent abuse.

"I support state police. I recognise people’s fears of possible abuse, but with the right processes in place, those fears will be allayed," he said.

The summit aimed to build agreement on state police and national security reforms. Concerns about insecurity continue to be a major topic across Nigeria.

It brought together leaders in national security, governors, lawmakers, civil society groups, policy experts, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders. They discussed ways to secure communities and protect lives across the country.