The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Olatunji Disu, has urged members of the Nigeria Police Force to actively engage in the national discourse regarding the proposed establishment of state police.
Disu emphasised the importance of their role in dispelling misconceptions and addressing public concerns surrounding the issue.
Speaking on Thursday at a one-day workshop on State Police organised by the Nigeria Police Institute at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre, Abuja, the IGP said the growing momentum behind calls for state policing makes it imperative for personnel of the Force to be well-informed and actively engaged in the debate.
Disu described the workshop as a critical platform for officers to examine the implications of state police for the Nigeria Police Force, ask difficult questions and make meaningful contributions that would enrich the ongoing national discourse.
“As discussions on the establishment of State Police continue to gather momentum, it is important that we, as members of the Nigeria Police Force, are well-informed and actively engaged,” he said.
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The police chief challenged participants to go beyond attending the workshop by taking the knowledge gained back to their various commands and formations to educate fellow officers.
He said sharing the insights from the workshop would promote a better understanding of the issues surrounding state police, dispel misconceptions and help allay the anxieties often associated with proposals for decentralising policing in Nigeria.
The IGP also urged participants to approach the discussions objectively and contribute constructively to the debate, stressing that informed engagement by police personnel was essential as the country considers far-reaching reforms to its policing architecture.
He commended the Nigeria Police Institute for organising what he described as a timely workshop and expressed confidence that the deliberations would make valuable contributions to the national conversation on state police.
The debate over the creation of state police has gained renewed traction in recent months, with proponents arguing it would strengthen community policing and improve security, while opponents have raised concerns over possible political misuse and constitutional safeguards.
