By Uche Mbah
The Federal Government has denied the news going round that President Mohammadu Buhari has signed an Executive Order approving the establishment of state Police, describing it as Fake News.
Stories have been going round that the Presidency has approved the establishment of state and local Police. Some traditional media even carried the news.
But The Source check indicated that the news emanated from the submission of the report of investigations into the activities of the special Anti Robbery squad, SARS, submitted to the Presidency in Aso Rock recently.
The Panel, chaired by the Executive Secretary, Human Rights Commission, Anthony Ojukwu, have recommended, among other things, ”Significant improvement in the funding, kitting and facilities of the Nigeria Police Force; Strengthening Information and Communication Technology of the Force; Establishment of State and local government Police.”. This was what has been reported as approval of state and local police.
Meanwhile, the special Adviser to Buhari on Digital Media, Tolu Ogunlesi,has debunked the story. In a tweet, Ogunlesi called the news Fake News.
The Presidency itself has released a statement clarifying the issue, using the Official twitter handle of the President, @Mbuhari.
Below is the press statement.
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE PRESIDENT BUHARI HAS NOT APPROVED STATE/LG POLICE – PRESIDENCY Pres Muhammadu Buhari Monday received a report on the reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The President requested that the report be studied & a white paper produced within 3 months.
The report of the white paper committee will form the basis of the decisions of the government on the many recommendations, including the setting up of state and local government police made by the Ojukwu panel.
