From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja

Inspector General of Police (IGP)  has  berated governors who are clamouring for state police saying they are inviting anarchy. 

Speaking at the  Open Government Partnership Week in Abuja, the IGP said those governors asking for state police are doing so for selfish purpose because  they want to use  the instrument of  state police against their political opponents.

The IGP, represented by Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Lemu Sanusi, said: “But state police will bring anarchy. Look at what is happening with the  Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Kaduna. With state police what will the  situation be? If there is an armed robbery case, a governor cannot send state police. What the governors are looking for are  instruments to defeat their political opponents.” 

Minister of State, Budget and National Planning and co-chair of Open Government Partnership, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba said that after the EndSARS protest in October, last year, the relationship between the citizens and police worsened. He said the government is trying to repair the damaged relationship through the Open Government Partnership.