Govs can’t be chief security officers of states without control over policing – Oshiomole

The lawmaker representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, has thrown his weight behind the creation of state police in Nigeria.

Oshiomole expressed his support on Thursday at the Arise Television’s Town Hall on State Police.

According to him, governors cannot be held accountable as chief security officers without having operational control over policing.

He described Nigeria’s current policing structure as contradictory, stressing that governors fund security operations but lack the authority to recruit, deploy or discipline officers.

The former Edo State governor also dismissed fears that state police would be abused, insisting that misuse of power already exists under the current centralised system and should be addressed through democratic accountability and public oversight.

“Various state governors can’t be the Chief Security Officers of their respective states without operational control over policing.

“Decentralised policing would improve security, clarify responsibility and align Nigeria’s federal system with its constitutional structure.

“Lawmakers should move from debate to its implementation,” he said.

DAILY POST recalls that both chambers of the National Assembly passed a bill for the creation of state police in Nigeria.