Nigerian officials, governors, and experts advocate for state police amidst security concerns; SDP rejects Gbajabiamila's role on panel
via Punch Nigeria22 min read
Senior Nigerian government officials, governors, lawmakers, security experts, and international stakeholders convened in Abuja to discuss a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria鈥檚 policing architecture, advocating for a decentralized security system. This consensus emerged at the ARISE News and THISDAY Town Hall on State Police and National Security, where participants emphasized that the success of state policing depends on legal, financial, and institutional frameworks to prevent abuse and ensure accountability. The event followed President Bola Tinubu's inauguration of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, tasked with drafting the legal framework for state police. The proposed constitutional amendment aims to move policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List, allowing states to establish their own police services under a nationally regulated framework. Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa retd., highlighted that military force alone cannot guarantee lasting peace, stressing the need for kinetic and non-kinetic strategies, including dialogue, community engagement, and intelligence gathering. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak supported Nigeria's push for state police, suggesting that a decentralized structure could improve internal security with strong legislation and federal oversight, while acknowledging concerns about potential abuse by governors. Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele cautioned that
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The Nigerian House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to implement strong diplomatic measures against South Africa due to renewed xenophobic attacks, extrajudicial killings, and alleged systematic persecution of Nigerians and other African nationals. This call comes as 282 Nigerians, including 12 infants, arrived in Lagos from South Africa on the fourth evacuation flight operated by Air Peace. The resolution followed a motion by Yusuf Gagdi, who highlighted repeated attacks on Nigerian citizens despite diplomatic engagements. Gagdi noted that recent reports indicate an escalation of attacks targeting various African nationals and confirmed the killing of two Nigerian citizens. He recalled Nigeria's significant role in the anti-apartheid struggle, expressing disturbance that Nigerians now face persecution in a country whose freedom they helped secure. Lawmakers like Billy Osawaru, Moshood Akiolu, Ghali Tijjani, and Adebayo Adepoju also contributed to the debate, advocating for intensified diplomatic engagement, legal redress, and support for affected Nigerians. The House urged the Federal Government to summon the South African High Commissioner, demand an independent investigation into the deaths of victims, and engage international bodies like the African Union and United Nations. They also recommended reviewing bilateral relations with South Africa and strengthening consular services and reintegration support for returning Nigerians. An ad hoc committee will
The families of five NELAN Consulting Limited consultants, who disappeared during an official assignment in Ebonyi State, are calling for an independent review of the criminal proceedings related to the case. This appeal follows their receipt of a Certified True Copy of records from the Ebonyi State High Court, which they claim raises questions about the prosecution of suspects. The consultants, Nelson Onyemeh, Ernest Edeani, Ikechukwu Ejiofor, Samuel Aneke, and Stanley Nwazulu, went missing in November 2021 while working on an African Development Bank-funded Ring Road project. The families urged the National Judicial Council, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Judicial Service Commission, the National Assembly, the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, civil society organisations, and the human rights community to scrutinise the proceedings. Their action comes after the current Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi, stated that the consultants were killed during a communal clash and those responsible were on trial. However, the court records show that six defendants were arraigned for alleged kidnapping, and three were granted bail after being informed they received amnesty from the Ebonyi State Government, despite the engineers' whereabouts remaining unknown. The families' lead counsel, Femi Falana SAN, obtained the court records after difficulties, revealing that the case had stalled, with defendants and counsel failing to appear in court on multiple occasions.
Must ReadDr. Haroon Ajibode, former Chief Medical Director of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, stated that approximately 90 percent of Nigerian medical graduates are seeking opportunities abroad. He attributed this trend, known as the "Japa syndrome," to poor remuneration, bad governance, insecurity, and unfavorable working conditions in Nigeria. Ajibode made these remarks at the 27th Annual Faculty Lecture of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, where he also noted that fewer doctors are opting for residency training in the country. He urged the government to address these issues to prevent the continued loss of medical professionals. Dr. Adekunle Hassan, Chairman of the Board of Management for OOUTH, called for the upgrade of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to meet international standards and challenged young ophthalmologists to confront existing challenges. Prof. Anthony Ikefuna, President of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, represented by Registrar Prof. Temitope Esan, affirmed the faculty's commitment to improving ophthalmology training standards. Dr. Charles Bekibele, Chairman of the Faculty of Ophthalmology, highlighted significant training needs and the college's dedication to competency-based learning and global standards.