President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has cautioned governors against the possible misuse of state police if eventually established, stressing that the security structure must not become a tool for intimidation or political persecution.
Speaking on the ongoing debate over state policing, Akpabio noted that public officials should consider the long-term implications of creating such institutions, emphasizing that today’s leaders will not remain in office forever.
According to him, many political office holders would eventually return to their communities after leaving office and should be able to do so without fear of harassment or intimidation by a state-controlled police force.
“Many of us like to go back home after we are through here, without being afraid of the state police. Even the current governors will one day leave office; they should not be afraid of the state police they created,” Akpabio stated.
The Senate President’s remarks come amid renewed national conversations on the establishment of state police as a strategy to address growing security challenges across the country.
While supporters argue that state police would improve local intelligence gathering and strengthen community-based security, critics have expressed concerns that governors could deploy the system against political opponents and dissenting voices.
Akpabio urged stakeholders to ensure that any framework for state policing includes adequate safeguards, accountability mechanisms, and constitutional protections to prevent abuse and guarantee respect for citizens’ rights.
The debate over state police remains one of Nigeria’s most significant constitutional and security discussions, with advocates and opponents continuing to weigh its potential benefits and risks.
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