Insecurity: NEC fails to take stand on state police, defers deliberation once more

Contemporary indications emerged on Thursday that the federal and state governments stay undecided on the contentious problem of state policing.

This improvement got here because the Nationwide Financial Council, NEC, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, sidestepped any deliberation on the matter throughout its assembly on the Presidential Villa.

Though governors in attendance noticed a minute’s silence for victims of the latest lethal assaults in Benue, Plateau, and Kwara states, the place practically 200 lives had been misplaced, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri confirmed that state policing didn’t characteristic on the NEC’s agenda.

It is going to be recalled that NEC, beneath Vice President Kashim Shettima’s management, had beforehand assured {that a} last decision on the matter could be reached upon reconvening.

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani had earlier declared that every one 36 states had been favourably disposed to the institution of state police. He assured the general public that the Council would problem a definitive pronouncement as soon as it reconvened.

Nevertheless, Governor Diri defined that, though the problem of state policing was slated for dialogue, it was deferred resulting from prolonged displays on different urgent nationwide issues.

It’s value noting that whereas President Bola Tinubu was away in France just lately, components of the nation, significantly Plateau, Benue, and Kwara States, had been embroiled in a wave of violent assaults by gunmen believed to be herdsmen.

These herdsmen-related assaults have, beneath the present administration, affected no fewer than 22 states throughout Nigeria. Whereas predominantly concentrated within the North Central geopolitical zone, the violence has unfold to different areas, together with components of each North and South.

In Plateau State, Bokkos and Bassa Native Authorities Areas had been plunged into turmoil, with over 100 folks reportedly killed and greater than 2,000 displaced, in keeping with emergency responders.

Benue State was additionally the scene of unspeakable horror, as over 100 residents had been brutally slain by marauding attackers who descended upon communities in Ukum and Brand native authorities areas.