ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – The Presidency has disclosed that the creation of state police outfits and forest guards has been approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.It was reported that sixteen state governors have submitted reports to the National Economic Council (NEC) expressing their support for establishing state police.
In one of the reports, the governors also recommended changes to the constitution to allow for the creation of state police.The reports were among the documentation received at the 140th NEC meeting, which Vice President Kashim Shettima presided over at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja on Thursday.
Speaking with The Punch, a presidency official who did not want to be named said the governors would ultimately determine the success of both security outfits.The presidential aide said there is a consensus on creating the state police because the National Assembly is considering inserting state policing into the constitution.
He said, “The President told the state governors to discuss it further at the state level. A committee was set up for that. We have not heard from the committee yet. Don’t also forget that simultaneously, the National SAssembly is considering inserting state policing in the constitution. So, there is a consensus around state policing.
“As for the forest guards, work is going on with it. There are existing forest guards in several states, but they are under the states’ ministries of agriculture.
The goal now is to strengthen their capacity by arming them properly and recruiting more people.“Still, it all falls in the hands of states to strengthen the forest guards. That is where we are now.”
