What FG must address before implementing state police — Senator Natasha

Lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has identified key areas the Federal Government must address before implementing state police.

She urged the President Bola Tinubu-led government to address critical issues, including sustainable funding and safeguards against political abuse, before implementing state police, warning that the initiative could undermine democracy if not properly structured.

The senator made the call on Thursday at the conference on “Building a National Consensus for State Police and National Security,” organised by ARISE News and THISDAY Newspaper in Abuja.

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Senator Natasha said that although support for state police was gaining momentum across the country, adequate measures must be put in place to ensure state police are not used as tools of political intimidation.

“State police should never become an instrument of political oppression or executive intimidation,” she said.

“We must build a policing system that serves the people, protects democracy and remains accountable to the rule of law.”

She identified funding as a major issue the Federal Government must resolve before the proposed policing system can succeed.

“Funding is one of the most important aspects the Federal Government must address. Without adequate and sustainable financing, state police will struggle to deliver on their constitutional responsibilities,” she said.

According to the lawmaker, any funding framework should adequately cater for personnel welfare, training, intelligence gathering, and the provision of modern policing equipment to ensure the effectiveness of state police.

Akpoti-Uduaghan also commended President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police for what she described as their prompt response to security challenges.

“I commend Mr President and the Inspector-General of Police for their prompt and decisive actions on security issues. That kind of responsiveness builds public confidence,” she said.

The conference brought together ministers, security chiefs, civil society leaders, academics, and private sector stakeholders to deliberate on constitutional amendments, operational models, funding mechanisms, and accountability frameworks for the proposed state police system.