The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has warned that Nigeria’s political system is not ripe for state police.
He, however, called for improved funding for the agency to enable the Police do better.
“I sincerely believe that the Federal Police is still the best for the country and with improved funding the challenges of crime will be addressed.
“Those agitating for state police should consider the level of our political maturity,” police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, quoted the IGP as saying.
“It is my sincere believe that once the Police Trust Fund Bill is passed into law, the necessary finances required to effectively police the nation will be available”, he added.
The IGP said this would also reduce the pressure on the state governments in the funding of the Police.
Idris noted that the Nigeria Police were one of the “least paid” security organisations in the world in spite of operating under the UN ratio of 1:400.
He added that with the current ratio of 1: 602 the Nigeria Police was operating far below the United Nation’s ratio.
“About 10,000 police officers have been recruited recently to fill the gap but this is still a far cry.
“To meet up with the UN ratio of 1:400, the Nigeria police requires additional 155,000 Police Officers for the next five years,“he said.
He said a request to recruit 31,000 policemen had been sent to President Muhammadu Buhari for approval.
Idris said the current Police Management was making efforts to establish structures that would bridge the communication gap between the Police and members of the public.
Idris said one of such structures included the establishment of the Nigeria Police Broadcasting Service (NPBS).
“When commissioned, it will broadcast Nationwide on TV, Radio, online and the National Emergency Communication Command Control Centre (NEC4).”
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