With insecurity a major concern for many Nigerians, the topic of state controlled police has come up again and President Buhari has stated why he doesn’t believe in it.
Speaking in an interview with Arise TV, the President said that he fears that while it is a good initiative, it might be impracticable due to the funds necessary to run it.
“It may be more efficient, which was why I congratulated the governor of Lagos State (Akinwunmi Ambode) when he started the Lagos State Neighbourhood Corps. It’s a good initiative,” Buhari said
The President categorically said he would not like to be a part of such an initiative saying that the cost implications in the long run would be insanely problematic.
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“Lagos State is richer than the Federal Government. How many states are there that can pay salaries and you now ask them to go and form state Police?
“And, do you know what can happen if you can’t feed the Police? Do you just give him uniform and a gun but can’t pay him salaries for six months?
“It’s going to be a problem and I don’t want to be a part of it.”
Buhari did throw some shade the Police’s way, saying that if they were more attentive to their jobs, soldiers would be nowhere to be found on the streets.
“I have a problem with the Police and I told them that, from my training and experience, the Police are supposed to be in the front line.
“Now, Nigerians are seeing soldiers on the streets. This is not good for the Police and I told them this some months ago,” he said.