Governor kicks against state police

Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas on Tuesday expressed his opposition to the creation of a state police in Nigeria.

Kefas said that the existing security structure is capable of addressing the nation’s security challenges.

In February, the federal and state governments agreed to the creation of a state police force at a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and the 36 states of the federation. The governor of Taraba State attended the meeting.

Even before that major development, some regions and states had created security outfits such as the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, in the southwest, and Ebube Agu in the southeast.

Kefas expressed his latest charge while receiving the Commander of Army Operation Whirl Stroke in charge of Nasarawa, Benue and Taraba States, L G. Leptang, at the Government House, Jalingo.

Kefas, who retired as a colonel, said after serving in the Nigerian Army for some years, he knows what the Nigerian Army and other security agencies are capable of doing for national security.

“That is why, when there is talk of the creation of a state police, I remain silent. I know the capacity of the Nigerian army and other security agents in the country.

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“I know they are a great asset to Nigeria, but what they need is the necessary support and a conducive environment to perform their roles,” Mr. Kefas said.

He said his government was collaborating with neighboring states and the Republic of Cameroon to form a common front where security issues of concern to the states would be discussed.

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“We have been looking for ways to collaborate with the governors of our neighboring states and with a governor of Cameroon, where we can create synergies to address insecurity on our borders.

“Criminals must be removed so that law-abiding citizens can live in peace,” he said.

Earlier, Brigadier Leptang told the governor that he was in the state with his team to pay a courtesy call and brief him on some of the challenges facing the operation.