Senator Shehu Sani has voiced apprehensions over the proposed establishment of state police in Nigeria, warning of potential misuse by governors.
Expressing his views on social media, Sani cautioned that state police could be exploited by governors to persecute political opponents, target non-indigenous residents, rig elections, and undermine federal authority in conflicts of interest.
His statements come amidst growing support for state police as a potential solution to Nigeria’s rampant insecurity, including kidnappings, banditry, and terrorism.
According to ThisDay Live, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, revealed that the National Assembly is prepared to amend the constitution to accommodate state police if it proves effective in combating crime.
This came as security experts, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and Nigerian Federalists praised President Bola Tinubu and the 36 state governors for considering legislation to establish state police.
Uba Sani, Governor of Kaduna, also argued that the state police force is the sole solution to the country’s security crisis.
Meanwhile, Shehu Sani, reacting to these developments on his X handle, stated, “The state police will be used by the governors to persecute the opposition, to harass ‘non-indigenes, to rig elections, and to counter the federal police in cases of conflict of interest between the federal government and the state. Most of the state ruling party thugs will be recruited into the state police.”
As expected, his remarks elicited reactions in his comment section as his followers aired their views on the subject matter.
Screenshots of people’s reactions: