TheCable

The National Economic Council (NEC) says it has received reports for the creation of state police from 16 states of the federation.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who heads the NEC, disclosed this in a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, his spokesperson, after NEC’s 140th meeting on Thursday.

Nkwocha said Nebeolisa Anako, NEC secretary, made a presentation on submissions by states on the state policing initiative.

He said 20 states are yet to send in reports, but added that all states expressed their support for the establishment of state police.

The states that have sent in reports and those yet to were not named.

“States recommended changes in the constitution and the current policing structure to enable the operationalization of the initiative,” Nkwocha added.

Shettima said the response from the states on the proposed initiative was not impressive.

He urged the states yet to make inputs to expedite action to enable robust deliberations on the subject matter at the next council meeting.

On February 15, the federal government set up a committee to explore the creation of state police in the country.

Mohammed Idris, minister of information, said the president and governors have agreed on modalities for the concept.

The minister added that series of meetings would take place to determine the workability of a decentralised police force.