The country has been overwhelmed by the security challenges in the last five years. The present administration inherited the insurgency in the North-East but new challenges suddenly surfaced in the North Central and North-West. Banditry, kidnapping, Fulani herdsmen and other bands of criminals were terrorizing the innocent citizens. The Nigeria Police population put strength of about 600,000 officers and men were overstretched and the military were drafted in to complement the police.
The truth is that, instead of the security situation improving, it was worsening day by day. The Northern Nigeria situation is now alarming and the governors know that we need a better policing system which guarantees peace and security. The recent rocket attack of Maiduguri by the insurgents killing people and injuring 47 was worrisome to the Federal and the state governments. Instead of the state governors funding the Nigeria Police to provide security, why not the states opt for State Police instead?
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One great benefit of the State Police is that the officers and men would be locally recruited and would be familiar with the locality. The establishment of the State Police might not be mandatory but optional for any state that may choose to have one.
The reported kidnapping of 317 girls from Talata Marafa, Zamfara State on Friday 26, February, 2021 was very disturbing.
This is coming barely a week after 45 boys from the Kagara Government Science Secondary School were kidnapped.
Ambassador Zannah Muhammad writes from Abuja
