The Federal Government have again been asked to give constitutional and legal backings to the establishment of Community Policing towards stemming the tide of insecurity currently confronting the nation.
A two time House of Representatives Member and flagbearer for the All Progressives Congress, Kogi West Senatorial District, Hon. Sunday Karimi made the call following the setting up of community security initiatives by some State Governments.
The former Lawmaker made the disclosure today following the inauguration of Community Volunteer Guards in Benue by Gov. Samuel Ortom, as well as Amotekun operating in the south Western States, Ebubeagu in the South East, and JTF operating in Borno State for sometime, said the Initiatives has greatly help in supporting the fight against insecurity challenge in the country.
Hon. Karimi says he is vehemently insisting on the need for devolution of powers with more powers devolved to be the States that will empower then set up Policing in line with their peculiar needs.
The former lawmaker insist that it is unhealthy for the federal government to be in control of the Police, called for the Devolution of power with more powers and resources given to State and Local Government for developmental purposes.
The former lawmaker called for the Devolution of power with further constitutional amendments to thinker with the 68 items in the Exclusive Legislative List, says enough of shying away from the realities as it is no longer realistic to have a central police.
Hon. Karimi particularly wants Police and Government Security Agencies, Arms and ammunition, mining, and electricity items made to be under the preserve of States government towards enhancing security in the country.
Hon. Karimi regretted regretted the over concentration of powers in the centre, said by virtue of section 214 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Section 7, 8,9 of the Nigerian Police Act 2020, said it allows for only one central police under the Command of the Inspector General of Police who is subject only to the President.
Hon. Karimi wants items 45 of the Exclusive Legislative List which makes the Nigerian Police and other government Security services a matter within the exclusive preserve of the Federal Government thinkered with to favour the States and Local Government, expressed dismay that with a central or unitary police system, it would be very difficult to tackle the hydra headed insecurity situation facing the country now
With Constitutional and legal backings, issue of communities policing would be addressed, and backed up with proper funding, concluded that Devolution of powers to states and local government remains the only antidotes to tackling the nation’s insecurity challenges.
Though all these exercises is against the constitution, every states and communities are now taking the bull by the horns and finding means to protect themselves.