The Lagos State House of Assembly has slammed Olukayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police, for “rejecting” the idea of establishing state police.
The IGP, represented by AIG Ben Okolo, at a national dialogue on state police organised by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, had opposed the establishment of state police, saying the “state governors could use the police forces under their control for political or personal gain and undermine human rights and security”, adding that states do not have the resources to support state police.
However, Okolo later made a U-turn, saying the stance on the state police was his and not the position of the IGP.
Speaking at the plenary on Monday, the Speaker of Lagos Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, directed the Clerk of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko to write the IGP and the National Assembly stating that the state lawmakers reject Egbetokun’s position, noting that despite the existing federal police, insecurity persists in the country.
“In Lagos State, we have the Security Trust Fund through which successive administrations starting from that of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu have provided enormous support to the police command in Lagos State. Yet, crime of different dimensions has continued.
“This shows that no matter what Egbetokun has proffered as the solution, such won’t solve our problem. The position of the IGP is unacceptable.
“We strongly believe that if we have state police, we would be able to solve the issues of crime in our nation or reduce it to the minimum,” Obasa said.
He praised President Bola Tinubu for his resolve to end insecurity in the country.