State Police, Way Out Of Security Challenges – Northern Governors

By Ayodele Oni

Miffed by the unending security challenges confronting them, 19  Governors, under the aegis of the Northern Governors Forum (NGF) have thrown their weight behind the establishment of State Police.

This resolution is coming almost a year after their southern counterpart had canvassed for state controlled police force, in a bid to tackle the activities of insurgents, kidnappers and other criminal activities across the country.

The Northern Governors’ position was contained in a communique issued at the end of the meeting with the Northern Traditional Rulers Council  in Abuja.

The meeting was organized to “review the state of security in the North and other matters relating to its progress and the development of the region.”

NGF Chairman and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong said the meeting reviewed the security situation in the North and other matters relating to its development.

According to him, the meeting also resolved to support further amendments of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in the bid to accommodate the establishment of State Police.

Governor Lalong affirmed that the Northern Governors and “Traditional rulers support the review and constitutional amendment to accommodate the establishment of State Police, with a view to effectively and efficiently address the security challenges in the Northern States.

“The Forum reiterated its commitment to the development of solar energy in view of the comparative advantage of sunshine in the region.

“Accordingly, it was unanimously resolved that 2000 megawatts of solar power be developed across the 19 States and FCT.”

The joint meeting also noted regrettably that the ongoing strike action declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike is more punitive in the Northern region as most of the students across the region are attending public universities.

“Accordingly, the Forum appeals to the ASUU to cooperate with the Federal Government in resolving the strike action.”

The Northern Governors also engaged officials of the World Bank to discuss the level of implementation of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) and Nigeria for Women Project which is being implemented in five Northern States.