From: Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
As legislators in the National Assembly and lawmaker at the state assemblies are working to review the nation’s constitution, a commissioner in Ogun State, Jide Ojuko, has called for the approval for the creation of State police in order to further curb criminal activities in the country.
Ojuko, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, made this call on Monday in Lisa Town, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, while inaugurating an office complex built by the Baale of the town, Chief Nojeem Oladele Odugbemi for the Vigilante Service of Ogun State.
According to him, the legislators would do Nigerians good if they positively considered the creation of state police in Nigeria.
Recall that state governments, groups and individuals over the years, have been clamouring for the creation of state police, arguing that it would address the problems of assassination, kidnappings and crimes in general.
Apart from enhancing security of lives and property, creation of state police, Ojuko argued, would help to create jobs and instil sense of security among the populace noting “it would enable indigenes of any community to identify who is who”.
“I call on national assembly and our lawmakers in the State house of assembly to support the creation of state police for a very simple reason that it will check the incessant cases of abuse by policemen and the high and mighty in society.
“Before, we had local, state police in the Eastern Region, the old Bendel State part of which is now Edo State, the Western Region and even the Northern Region and they did wonderful jobs.’’
“I believe that every state should own a police and also have a Commissioner of Police, and we shall also have the federal police who will have an Inspector-General who will take care of standards.
“All the forces must have the same standard and uniform all over the states but with the highest person in the state being a Commissioner of Police.
“The federal police should handle federal cases or matters which are above the state power,’’
“It will reduce robbery and harassment by criminals on the roads during gridlocks”. Ojuko pointed out.
He, however, said that the State Vigilante Service organisation was being repositioned to fit into the modern day community policing initiative with their collaboration with Nigeria police, thereby reducing crime rate in the State.
Earlier in his remarks, the donor of the office complex, High Chief Oladele Odugbemi, said he decided to build the edifice in the town, to compliment government’s efforts in bringing development to the grassroots.