The Director of Mobilisation and Enlightenment of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Olisa Metuh, has commended President Bola Tinubu for championing the proposed establishment of state police, describing it as a landmark achievement in Nigeria’s security reform.
- +Tinubu shows courage, foresight for championing state police – Metuh
Metuh was a former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party before defecting to the ruling All Progressive Congress.
Metuh was a former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party before defecting to the ruling All Progressive Congress.
In a statement issued on Thursday, he said the passage of the State Police Bill marked a turning point in the country’s efforts to tackle worsening insecurity through a decentralised policing system.
According to him, the legislation represented one of the most significant accomplishments of the Tinubu administration.
“I wish to heartily congratulate the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the landmark passage of the State Police Bill, a development that stands out as one of the most significant achievements of the present administration.
“President Tinubu has demonstrated courage, foresight, and statesmanship by championing a reform that successive administrations were unable to accomplish despite widespread public support. This achievement will undoubtedly occupy a prominent place in the annals of Nigeria’s democratic and security history,” he said.
Metuh said the establishment of state police would improve community policing, enhance intelligence gathering, ensure quicker responses to security threats, strengthen the fight against kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and other violent crimes, while also creating jobs and promoting economic growth.
He urged state governors to collaborate with the Federal Government to ensure the successful implementation of the proposed reform.
“While celebrating this milestone, I call on state governors across the federation to work closely with President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government to ensure the successful implementation of this reform.
“The primary objective must be the protection of citizens and the preservation of law and order,” he said.
He also called on the National Assembly, state governments, traditional institutions, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to put in place safeguards to prevent abuse of state police.
“State police must never become instruments of political intimidation or oppression. Instead, they must operate professionally, independently, and in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law,” Metuh said.
He urged all stakeholders to place national interest above partisan considerations, expressing confidence that effective implementation of the initiative would strengthen grassroots policing and improve internal security.
“If properly implemented, state police will significantly enhance internal security, strengthen grassroots policing, and contribute to a safer and more prosperous Nigeria,” he added.
PUNCH Online reports that the State Police Bill has been successfully passed by the National Assembly, while speakers of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, governors, the Labour Party and the Forum of APC Speakers backed the constitutional amendment.
If enacted, it will pave the way for states to establish and manage their own police forces.
It aims to address the limitations of the centralised policing system and improve overall internal security.
