“Any Day We Delay State Police, We Lose More Lives” – Governor Uba Sani Warns

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has renewed his call for the establishment of state police, arguing that Nigeria’s current security architecture is inadequate to address the country’s growing security challenges effectively.

Speaking on the issue of insecurity on Channels Television program Politics Today with Seun Okinbaloye, the governor said anyone who believes the existing number of police and military personnel is sufficient to govern and secure Nigeria is either “being mischievous or insincere.”

According to Sani, while many states have established vigilante services to complement security efforts, their effectiveness is severely limited because the Constitution does not permit them to bear arms.

“Many states have established vigilante services, but do you know why they are not effective? It is because the Constitution prohibits them from holding arms. When they are sent to protect the lives and property of the people, it is like sending them to a death sentence,” he said.

The governor maintained that the creation of state police would significantly strengthen security operations at the sub-national level and improve accountability among governors.

“Any day we delay state police, we continue to lose lives,” Sani stated, adding that he could not recall any true federal system operating without both federal and state policing structures.

Addressing concerns that state police could be abused by governors to target political opponents, the Kaduna governor said adequate constitutional safeguards could be put in place to prevent such abuses.

“The reason I have always called for state police is so that governors can be held accountable for whatever happens in their states. But you also need to empower them constitutionally to be able to do that,” he said.

On the issue of banditry and terrorism, Sani adopted a hardline position, insisting that individuals responsible for the killing of innocent citizens do not deserve a second chance.

Responding to a question on whether bandits should be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society, the governor said: “I don’t believe they deserve a second chance because, in my opinion, they are terrorists. When you call them terrorists, it means they are people who have killed innocent citizens. Certainly, they have no right to live; they must be eliminated.”

Recall that the Senate had a detailed, clause-by-clause review of constitutional amendments for the creation of a State police. The Governor of Kaduna State, Sen. Uba Sani, the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and Chief of Staff to President Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, were present in the Senate to observe the voting on the State Police bill.

President Bola Tinubu had on Tuesday submitted a constitutional amendment bill to the Senate for the establishment of a State Police.

Sen. Akpabio, the Senate President also announced that the states have pledged to consider the State Police bill on the same day after receiving it.