State Police: Don’t Rush to Avoid Creating More Problems – Primate Ayodele Warns Tinubu

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has cautioned President Bola Tinubu against hastily implementing state police, warning that inadequate preparations could create fresh challenges for the country's security architecture.

Speaking through a statement issued by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, on Friday, the cleric stressed that while the idea of state policing could help address insecurity, critical issues must first be resolved before its introduction.

Ayodele noted that there is a risk of friction between state police formations and the existing national police structure if the initiative is not carefully planned and properly managed.

According to him, several factors still require attention, and rushing the process could undermine the intended benefits of the reform.

He maintained that the government should take time to establish the necessary frameworks and operational guidelines to ensure the success of the proposed policing system.

“State police is a good initiative and has the potential to assist in tackling insecurity in Nigeria,” he said. “However, if it is not properly established, it may create more problems than solutions.”

The cleric further argued that state police alone would not automatically eliminate crime, terrorism or other security threats, emphasising the need for comprehensive planning and coordination.

Ayodele urged the Federal Government to exercise caution and avoid implementing the policy in haste, insisting that a well-structured approach is essential to prevent future conflicts and operational challenges within the country's security system.

The debate over the creation of state police has continued to generate discussions among policymakers, security experts and stakeholders, many of whom view it as a potential solution to Nigeria's growing security concerns while also raising concerns about its implementation and oversight.