State policing is inevitable

The issue of internal security in Nigeria this time around is of great concern to every patriotic Nigerian. And without mincing word, it has become a very hard nut for the Federal Government to crack.

But as the security and peace of a state lie in the hands of its governor then it is imperative that states police is inevitable now in Nigeria.

Every good thing has its bad side: no matter how small. One of the main fears of the antagonists of the states police is its abuse and misuse by the state governors. Our past experiences in the era of the regional policing were deplorable. The regional police was used then as an instrument of victimization, suppression and vengeance on the opposition by the ruling party. It was then a means to main and suppress their political opponents. They were used as watch dogs and vassals of the politicians, the prominent and the affluent people in the local level. By that time, crimes were minimal, people were fully and gainfully employed, no armed gangs nor armed robbery. There were serious crimes only during the electioneering which were man-made by the politicians themselves through the use of thugs. But the position now is very different. Nigerians are wiser, more civilized and most of our politicians are more matured and decorous. Although few of them are still naïve and barbaric, yet with time they will be reformed. It should be noted that the states police cannot do it alone without the assistance and cooperation of the communities. The communities are the eyes and ears of the security operatives in providing information and logistics to help and make the tasks of the securities possible, achievable and successful. This is where the assistance of the Royal Fathers is very important, necessary and needed. They will liaise with their subjects to educate them on the importance of their cooperation with the security operatives for their own safety and peaceful living. The Fulani herdsmen, the kidnappers and the ritual killers are not spirits nor mirages, they are human beings and they live in the very communities where they operate their nefarious acts. They should be spotted, identified and reported. For now, the support of everybody-patriots is needed: also, the men of the forces should not degenerate in the performance of their main duty of providing security for the nation and her citizenry so that the dangerous activities of these enemies of the nation is stopped.

Hon. Layi Ogunniran

Taraa, Ogbomoso

08034396241