President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday approved the establishment of state and local government police.

He also approved the dismissal of 37 police officers as recommended by the National Human Rights Commission Presidential Special Panel on SARS Reforms.

This was contained in the speech by the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission and Chairman Presidential Panel on SARS Reform, Anthony Ojukwu, during the submission of report of the Presidential Panel on the reform of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), of the Nigeria Police, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Panel according to Ojukwu received 113 complaints on alleged human rights violations from across the country and 22 memoranda on suggestions on how to reform and restructure SARS and the Nigeria Police in general.

He said, “The Panel was accordingly constituted and comprises representatives of the
following institutions including members of the civil society namely:

“Anthony Okechukwu Ojukwu, Esq. – Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission as Chairman; Tijani Mohammed, Esq. —Police Service Commission —Member; David I. Shagba, Esq. —Public Complaints Commission -Member; Hashimu Argungu — Deputy Inspector General of Police (Rtd) -Member; Professor Etanibi Alemika —University of Jos —Member; Chino Obiagwu, SAN —Chairman, Human Rights Agenda Network -Member; Ms Iyabode Ogunseye —Nigerian Bar Association —Member; and Abdulrahman Ayinde Yakubu— National Human Rights Commission/Secretary of the Panel.”

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He went on “The Panel called for and received 113 complaints on alleged human rights violations from across the country and 22 memoranda on suggestions on how to reform and restructure SARS and the Nigeria Police in general. It sat in the six geopolitical zones of the country to afford complainants and the Police the opportunity to present and defend the allegations.

“At the end of its public hearing and having listened to complaints as well as defendants and their counsel, the Panel recommended thirty seven (37) Police officers for dismissal from the force. Twenty four (24) were recommended for prosecution. The panel also directed the Inspector General of Police to unravel the identity of twenty two (22) officers involved in the violation of the human rights of innocent Citizens. The police was directed to pay compensation of various sums in forty—five (45) complaints and tender public apologies in five (5) complaints and directed to obey court orders in five (5) matters. The Police was directed to immediately arrest and prosecute two (2) retired senior Police officers found to have violated the rights of citizens (one for extra-judicial killing and the other for illegal takeover of Property of a suspect). The Panel also recovered two vehicles illegally auctioned by SARS Officers and returned them to their owners

“Some of the other key recommendations of the Panel include: a. Significant improvement in the funding, kitting and facilities of the Nigeria Police Force; b. Strengthening Information and Communication Technology of the Force; c. Establishment of State and local government Police;”

“d. Institutionalizing a Special Investigation Panel to annually hear and determine complaints on alleged human rights violations against operations of the Nigeria Police Force;

“e. Strengthening the Police Rapid Response Complaints Unit of the Nigeria Police and other internal complaints mechanisms of the Force to make them more responsive;

“f. Renaming the Special Anti—Robbery Squad (SARS) to Anti-Robbery Section (ARS) which was its original name and to make the section operate under the intelligence arm of the Police from the divisional, area command, state command, zonal command up to the Force Headquarters level. This will also remove the stigma presently associated with the name SARS;”

Source:
https://thenationonlineng.net/breaking-buhari-approves-state-lg-police/

Great!
It'll definitely improve the security
Governors will now gain more power and have control over their state security.

But elections will become more bloody.

This is a good development

Nice one Buhari. I have to commend you for this

No legal backing. More like a waste of time

Via executive fiat or NASS resolution Nice development if really true and implemented.

Whatever it is, it has to come through National assembly.

state police can not be easily handed down to the states and local government except they will just be there to gather information and still report to the federal police.

The conflict of interest will lead to war as there will be competition of who to man which check point.

some are more lucrative eg all Aba road, all onitsha road etc

crestedaguiyi:
state police can not be easily handed down to the states and local government except they will just be there to gather information and still report to the federal police.

The conflict of interest will lead to war as there will be competition of who to man which check point.

some are more lucrative eg all Aba road, all onitsha road etc

Are you suggesting we maintain the status quo and allow police brutality to continue

Good one from the President

Cc sarrki, yarimo, , deomelo, kyase, seunmsg

At least make i tag una for this good move.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday approved the establishment of state and local government police.

He also approved the dismissal of 37 police officers as recommended by the National Human Rights Commission Presidential Special Panel on SARS Reforms.

This is a very good news, With the advantage of shared common language and culture, crime prevention and containment will be relatively easy.
Federal police officers, prior now are posted randomly to states where the cooperation of the local populace is essential in carrying out effective policing.

However, stringent measures will be put in place to  prevent the abusive use of the force to oppress political  opponents. This should not normally happen,  since the  overriding interest of a political leader is to rule over a state, where  the people go about their daily activities in peace and the government is also at peace. Even at that, bad politicians and leaders still use thugs to harass their people and political rivals

The decision of the Federal Government to approve State and Local Government police under the leadership of a Police Commissioner  is a good decision,
But Community policing is also confronted with the challenges of discipline, training, remuneration, management, organisational structure and legality. The personnel could however be screened and those who qualify and are found suitable may be coopted into the state police force.
The overriding advantages of a state police cannot be overemphasised.  The threats posed by insurgents, murderers, bandits, kidnappers, suicide bombers and other criminals are real and all measures in whatever form taken to confront these threats should be embraced.

God bless our President Muhammadu Buhari and his AMIABLE Vice President PROF YEMI OSINBAJO as they take our nation to the NEXT LEVEL, Aka, A land flowing with milk and honey.

Slow and steady we will get to a New and better Nigeria.
God bless Nigeria.

contigiency:
With local government autonomy signed and sealed, now states police, buhari has gradually started the restucturing being championed by a lot of Nigerians. Good development. We are indeed in the next level.

God bless you Chairman!

AllenSpencer:

God bless your Kidney and lungs

Lol .
A very big AMEN to that!
God bless your small intestines and liver also!

kings09:
Good one from the President

Cc sarrki, yarimo, , deomelo, kyase, seunmsg

At least make i tag una for this good move.

Thanks for the mention!

Always good to see people that criticize with sense.
Not some wailers that their whole life is filled with hatred for their country.
They are filled with negativity 24/7 everyday!
You will soon see them on this thread, crying that, why couldn't he approved it 4 years ago!!

Keep it up man!

MrPolitics:
This is a good development

A very good development.

GREAT NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

zinizta:
GREAT NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Very GREAT news o!

This is great I'm glad Buhari has changed his mind on subject. Policing should naturally be devolved to lowest level. National assembly needs to vote on it asap. He also needs to decentralize prisons. Its the logical move.


Front Page: Lalasticlala

GREAT NEWS!!!!

Buhari can easily pass as d best president so far!

good one from buhari

Misplaced priority.....their are more important things to us as a nation than state police, while can't this administration just focus on reviving the economy.

This is highly commendable. We hope it improves the poor security condition being faced across the country

Damentia:
Misplaced priority.....their are more important things to us as a nation than state police, while can't this administration just focus on reviving the economy.

security is not a misplaced priority, the economy can't grow where insecurity thrives. Investors won't even near d country.

Very good.
Time to resuscitate bakassi boys jare mek person dey go village in peace with no fear of kidnappers.

Damentia:
Misplaced priority.....their are more important things to us as a nation than state police, while can't this administration just focus on reviving the economy.

you guys are unbelievable, have you guys not been clamouring for restructuring?

Damentia:
Misplaced priority.....their are more important things to us as a nation than state police, while can't this administration just focus on reviving the economy.

Shut up

johnkay1:
Great!
It'll definitely improve the security
Governors we now gain more power and have control over their state security.

But elections will become more bloody.

If there is a strong national security agency whose duties supersedes that of the state of police if found wanton to be used by politicians, Governors will respect themselves because the state police would be answerable to the opinion of public court and not the Governors.

Damentia:
Misplaced priority.....their are more important things to us as a nation than state police

SHUT UP and wail endlessly on your mat in your village hut,
hater of good news in Nigeria!
U go wail for 4 whole years, u go tire!

greatiyk4u:

Tired of wailing?

Lol .
We pray they don't get tired o!

If Buhari will only achieve this I would pay my respect to him finally.


It's long overdue.

Truckpusher:
If Buhari will only achieve this I would pay my respect to him finally.
It's long overdue.

Welcome on board then!

Truckpusher:
Local govt. and State policing is the bedrock of any great economy considering that fifth columnists can always be used to destabilize a nation with the capability to become an economic power house.


Truth is that , any leader that creates room for gradual restructuring of Nigeria will always earn my respect irrespective of his political affiliation and pattern of leadership.

Very Good points TruckPusher.
Welcome on board once again!

PMB seems to be looking into the constitutional conference report done by the GEJ regime. This is the restructuring the ohanezes, afenifere have been shouting for, I hope they can swallow their pride and begin to commend PMB.

I knew PMB was up to something when NFIU brought out guidelines on LG allocation funds going directly to the local governments and I suspected that he was beginning to consider the confab report done before his first tenure.

It's left to all Nigerians to support this move if they truly love this country.

Don't like state police for 2 reasons

1.Funding...who is going to fund the state police?? (Don't tell me it is the Federal Government).

At the end of the day, TAXES are going to go up to fund the state police.

2.Tribalism. Especially in states with multiple tribes, and states that have settlers from outiside. (And don't tell me it won't happen).