The Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia, has declared full support for the establishment of state police, stressing that governors must have operational control of security structures to effectively safeguard their states.
He made this position known during the flag-off of a six-day training for 300 personnel of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards (BSCPGs).
The exercise, organised by The Kukah Centre in collaboration with the state government, is being held at the Firing Range in Ikpayongo, Gwer-East Local Government Area.
Represented by his deputy, Sam Ode, the governor described state policing as “an idea whose time has come,” noting that ongoing constitutional reforms would pave the way for its implementation.
He said the move aligns with efforts by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to establish a legal framework for decentralised policing, describing it as a necessary devolution of powers in a federal system.
Alia also dismissed concerns that state police could be misused for political purposes, assuring that proper legal safeguards would prevent abuse.
Alia insisted that the role of governors as chief security officers must go beyond theory.
Earlier, the Special Adviser on Security and Internal Affairs, Joseph Har, disclosed that the state had already trained 5,000 personnel, positioning Benue as a front runner in community-based security.
“We are a federating nation, and federating units should have self-determination on security,” he said.
The Project Manager at The Kukah Centre, Terseer Bamber, added that the training would strengthen operational capacity and ensure personnel act within constitutional limits.
“At the end of the exercise, we expect a more resilient force capable of supporting conventional security agencies,” he said.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
