- Shekarau, who spoke during an appearance on Channels TV’s Politics Today, on Thursday, lauded Tinubu’s recent directives
Former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau advocates for a federally-coordinated community policing system nationwide to address rising insecurity.
The Federal Government, prompted by increased food prices, economic challenges, and security issues, is considering the establishment of state police, as discussed during an emergency meeting between President Bola Tinubu and state governors at the Aso Rock Villa. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, emphasizes that the process is in its early stages and will evolve through further deliberations among stakeholders.
Shekarau, who spoke during an appearance on Channels TV’s Politics Today, on Thursday, lauded Tinubu’s recent directives.
He emphasised the importance of community policing being community-owned, noting that the government would only be coordinating.
The former Kano State governor urged the Federal Government to bolster the number of Nigeria Police personnel through ongoing recruitment drives totalling 60,000.
He said “All we are saying is let there be community policing, community watch. This is what we are talking about. Community intelligence watch, community intelligence gathering.
“These insurgents are not living on the moon. They live with the people. All we need to do is for the government to get the state police coordinated. And ultimately don’t forget, we cannot do this without the traditional institution. That is why that of Kano State succeeded.
“The fear of most political leaders that are arguing against state police is that they are going to be used during the election to terrorise people. If you get a governor that is crazy, he will use it to terrorise opponents and so this is not the kind of policing we are after. What we need is community policing, owned by the communities and the government is only coordinating. So there is a coordinating chain.”