By Daud Olatunji

ABEOKUTA—As lawmakers in the national and state assemblies are in the process of reviewing the nation’s constitution, the Ogun State government has appealed to the lawmakers to consider the bill for the creation of State Police  in order to fight insecurity that is plaguing the country.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Jide Ojuko made the call in Lisa town, in Ifo Local government area of Ogun State while commissioning an office complex built by the Baale of the town, Chief Nojeem Odugbemi for the vigilante service of Ogun State.

Chief Ojuko said that the lawmakers will do Nigerians good if they positively consider the creation of state police in Nigeria.

It could be recalled that for years, many state governments, groups and individuals have been clamouring for the creation of state police, arguing that it would address the problems of high-profile killings, kidnappings and crimes in general.

Ojuko, while speaking at the commissioning said the creation of state police would help to create jobs and instill sense of security among the populace as it would enable indigenes of any community “to identify who is who.”

He said: “I call on National Assembly and our lawmakers in the state House of Assembly to support the creation of state police for a very simple reason that it will check the incessant cases of abuse by policemen and the high and mighty in society.

“Before, we had local, state police in the Eastern Region, the old Bendel State part of which is now Edo State, the Western Region and even the Northern Region and they did wonderful jobs.’

“I believe that every state should own police and also have a Commissioner of Police, and we shall also have the federal police who will have an Inspector-General who will take care of standards.

“All the forces must have the same standard and uniform all over the states but with the highest person in the state being a Commissioner of Police.

“The federal police should handle federal cases or matters which are above the state power.”

“It will reduce robbery and harassment by criminals on the roads during gridlocks”.

He said that the State Vigilante service organisation is being   reposition to fit into the modern day community policing initiative with their collaboration with Nigeria police, thereby reducing crime rate in the State.