‎Don’t Turn State Police Into Political Weapons, Says Natasha

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has stressed that sustainable funding and robust accountability mechanisms are essential for the successful establishment and operation of state police in Nigeria, warning that the system must not become a tool for political persecution.

Speaking on Thursday at the Building a National Consensus for State Police and National Security conference organised by ARISE News and THISDAY Newspaper in Abuja, Akpoti-Uduaghan said any move to establish state police must be backed by strong constitutional safeguards to prevent abuse of power.

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‎The lawmaker noted that while the debate over state police has gained momentum across the country, its implementation should prioritise professionalism, independence and adherence to the rule of law.

‎She cautioned that without adequate institutional checks, state police could be exploited by political office holders to intimidate opponents and suppress citizens’ rights.‎

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‎”State police should never become an instrument of political oppression or executive intimidation. We must build a policing system that serves the people, protects democracy and remains accountable to the rule of law,” she said.

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‎Akpoti-Uduaghan identified sustainable funding as a critical pillar for the effectiveness of any state policing framework, stressing that establishing new security institutions without a reliable financial structure would undermine their ability to perform constitutional responsibilities.

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‎According to her, the funding model should adequately cater for personnel welfare, operational efficiency, training, intelligence gathering and the deployment of modern security infrastructure across the states.

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

‎”I commend Mr President and the current Inspector-General of Police for their prompt responses and decisive actions on security issues. Such responsiveness strengthens public confidence and reinforces our collective commitment to securing Nigeria,” she said.

‎The conference brought together policymakers, security experts, civil society organisations, academics and private sector stakeholders to deliberate on constitutional reforms, operational frameworks, funding models and accountability measures necessary for the successful implementation of state police in Nigeria.