“As far as I am concerned, until we have adequate number of trained police personnel who are well equipped, we cannot reasonably posit that the Nigerian police have failed to deliver on the promise of its mandate.
Anthony Sani, Secretary-General of the Arewa Consultative Forum, says there is no need for the establishment of state police if there is no improvement in the structure of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).
Sani said this in his response to separate motions moved by Emmanuel Bwacha. a senator from Taraba State, and his colleague, Kabir Marafa, from Zamfara State.
Speaking to Punch newspaper on Sunday, the ACF’s secretary said the Senators' claim that state police would reduce the rate of kidnapping, armed robbery and banditry, is not true.
He advised that the Nigerian government should focus on equipping and strengthening the current police structure, instead of creating state police.
He said: “As far as I am concerned, until we have adequate number of trained police personnel who are well equipped, we cannot reasonably posit that the Nigerian police have failed to deliver on the promise of its mandate.
“This is because if the state police are dearth in sufficient number and ill-trained as well as inadequately equipped, they would still fail.
“Therefore, let the nation do the needful for the Nigerian police and watch their performance before any reasonable decision on alternative option can be taken."