The Business NG - December 13, 2024

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Governors Back State Police as NEC Prepares Final Decision

The creation of state police gained significant traction during the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday. Thirty-six states presented their recommendations, with a majority endorsing the initiative.

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, disclosed this development while addressing State House correspondents. He noted that the council would finalize its position on the matter at the next NEC meeting scheduled for January 2025.

“At today’s NEC meeting, we discussed updates on the creation of state police,” Sani said. “About 35 states have already submitted their recommendations, and the majority are in favor of the establishment of state police in Nigeria. However, the council decided to defer discussions to the next meeting to review a comprehensive report from the secretariat.”

The proposal for state police has been a recurring topic at NEC meetings, with debates intensifying over its potential to address Nigeria's growing security challenges. While states like Kwara, Kebbi, and Adamawa had delayed their submissions earlier in November, recent developments indicate broad consensus among governors.

Sani further explained that the council resolved to conduct additional stakeholder engagements to ensure inclusive decision-making. “The secretariat has agreed on further consultations after the panel deliberations, ensuring a robust framework for the state police initiative,” he added.