JUST IN: FG Planning Establishment of State Police, to Strengthen Forest Guards

The Federal Government and governments of the 36 states are currently discussing the possibility of creating state police.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris disclosed this on Thursday at the State House, Abuja after a crucial meeting between President Bola Tinubu and state governors.

The minister, however, disclosed that the discussion was still at infancy stage as more consultations needs to be made before a final conclusion on the matter.

The crucial meeting which was at the instance of the President dwelled on the increasing food crisis coupled with worsening security across Nigeria.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Information minister said:

“There is also a discussion around the issue of state police. The federal government and the state governments are mulling the possibility of setting up state police.

“Of course, this is still going to be further discussed. A lot of work has to be done in that direction. But if our government and the state governments agree to the necessity of having state police, this is a significant shift

“Like I said, more work needs to be done in that direction. A lot of meetings will have to happen between the Federal Government and dissolved nationals to see the modalities of achieving this.”

Speaking further on the immediate plan to restore security across the country the minister revealed that the Federal Government was already making plans to strengthen the Forest Guards to enable them tackle emerging security challenges.

He said that the government has perfected plans to “improve the numeric strength of forest rangers. To train them so that they can keep our forests and our borders very safe.”