Tensions flared in the Lagos State House of Assembly as lawmakers vehemently disagreed with the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, over his recent statements rejecting the establishment of state police in Nigeria. During a plenary session on Monday, Speaker Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa directed the House Clerk to formally communicate their opposition to both the IGP and the National Assembly.
IGP Egbetokun had previously articulated his concerns at a dialogue on state policing, asserting that state police could exacerbate ethnic tensions and divide loyalties within states. He also proposed the controversial idea of merging the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) with the national police force, a move criticized by Speaker Obasa.
Obasa questioned the effectiveness of such a merger, citing ongoing challenges with road safety and pipeline security that the FRSC and NSCDC currently face. He argued that merging these entities with the police would not address the root problems of crime in Lagos or elsewhere in the country.
“In Lagos State, despite significant support from our Security Trust Fund, crime persists,” Obasa stated. “We firmly believe that state police would allow for more localized and effective crime management. Look at countries like the United Kingdom and the United States—they operate multiple levels of policing. Why shouldn’t we?”
The Speaker praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to tackling insecurity and advocated for the continuation of constitutional amendments that would allow for the establishment of state police. This sentiment was echoed by other lawmakers, including the representative for Badagry Constituency 1, who pointed out that virtually every Nigerian state already has some form of local security outfit that acts as de facto state police.
Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh from Ajeromi/Ifelodun 1 criticized the IGP’s stance as out of touch with the realities of insecurity faced by Nigerians, emphasizing the necessity for state-level policing to adequately address local security challenges.
The Lagos Assembly’s formal rejection of IGP Egbetokun’s position marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over the structure of law enforcement in Nigeria, indicating strong legislative support for the establishment of state police to combat the nation’s escalating security issues.