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Nigeria is not mature for state police, says IGP

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Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police, says Nigeria is not “mature” for state police.

Egbetokun spoke on Monday at a national dialogue on state police organised by the house of representatives in Abuja.

The theme of the dialogue is ‘Pathways to Peace: Reimagining Policing in Nigeria’.

Represented by Ben Okolo, an assistant inspector-general of police, Egbetokun said Nigeria is not ready for a decentralised police force.

“It is the submission of the leadership of the Nigeria police force that Nigeria is yet to mature and ready for the establishment of state-controlled police,” he said.

There have been renewed calls for the establishment of state police following an uptick in kidnappings, banditry and violent attacks across the country.

On February 15, the federal government set up a committee to explore the creation of state police, amid the spate of insecurity in the country.

On February 20, a bill to establish state police passed second reading at the house of representatives.

The IGP said rather than create state police, the challenges mitigating against effective policing in Nigeria should be addressed.

He listed some of the challenges as inadequate manpower, inadequate operational equipment such as vehicles, arms and ammunition, communication equipment, drones, aerial surveillance cameras, security surveillance helicopters, armoured vehicles, and inadequate training of personnel,

He said these challenges have impacted negatively on the performance of police personnel.

He also said state police is open to abuse from powerful state governors.

“Then there is the potential for abuse of power by the state political leadership. State governors could use the police forces under their control for political or personal gain and compromise human rights and security,” he said.

“There would also be a conflict of jurisdiction.”

‘NSCDC SHOULD BE A DEPARTMENT IN THE POLICE’

Egbetokun proposed that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) should merge to become a department in the police.

“In view of this, the police leadership rather is recommending the following instead of creating state police,” he said.

“First, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety to form a department under the Nigerian police.”

He said the recruitment of police personnel into the force should be increased by at least 30,000 annually to meet the United Nations minimum policing standard.

Egbetokun’s stance contrasted with that of Ibrahim Gaidam, minister of police affairs, who backed the establishment of state police.

Gaidam, who spoke at the event, said a more decentralised police force will help tackle the spate of insecurity in the country.

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Boris Johnson turned away from polling station after forgetting valid ID

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Boris Johnson, former prime minister of the UK, was turned away from his local polling station after forgetting to bring the required photo identity.

Johnson had joined locals in South Oxfordshire on Thursday to vote in the police and crime commissioner election.

Polling officials however told him he would not be allowed to vote without providing his identity.

There are 22 acceptable forms of ID in the UK including passports, driving licences, blue badges, and certain local travel cards.

As prime minister in 2022, Johnson introduced the Elections Act which requires photo ID — a development that sparked intense criticisms from Britons.

Last year, the Electoral Commission warned that the new law could exclude hundreds of thousands of people, including minorities and those with disabilities.

A spokesperson for Johnson confirmed he had forgotten the photo ID, but that he was able to cast his ballot after he returned with a valid ID.

“Mr Johnson voted Conservative,” Sky News quoted the spokesperson as saying.

Downing Street said it would “look into” changing the controversial rules which require photo ID in order to vote, so that ID cards of veterans can be added to the list of valid identification.

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Lagos state government uncovers another under bridge apartment in Ikoyi

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The officials of Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) have discovered an illegal settlement under the Osborne Bridge in Ikoyi.

Tokunbo Wahab, commissioner for environment and water resources in Lagos, on Thursday, said officials of LAGSEC have commenced immediate clearance of the place.

“Another illegal settlement was discovered under the Osborne Bridge, Ikoyi. Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps @LAGESCOfficial (KAI) commenced immediate clearance operation,” Wahab wrote in a post on X.

The recent discovery comes 24 hours after officials of the ministry of environment uncovered apartments under the Dolphin Estate Bridge where tenants pay N250,000 rent annually.

Wahab disclosed that 86 rooms partitioned into 10×10 and 12×10, and a container, were discovered by an enforcement team of the Lagos ministry of environment.

Thirty-three persons were arrested at the under bridge apartments.

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Sanwo-Olu appoints KWAM1’s daughter as SSA

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The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has appointed Basirat Damilola Marshall, daughter of Fuji maestro, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, a.k.a KWAM1, as his Senior Special Assistant on Tourism.

This was according to a viral video of her father thanking the governor, and congratulatory messages sighted by newsmen on her Instagram page, @damimarshall_ on Thursday.

In the viral video, her father, KWAM1, while performing on stage at the coronation and birthday reception of Oba Sikirullah Apena on Thursday, thanked Sanwo-Olu for appointing his daughter into his cabinet.

The fuji singer noted that it was his daughter, Damilola, who asked him to publicly thank the governor for her appointment.

Congratulating her on the appointment, a Nigerian, Olanrewaju-Smart Wasiu wrote, “Congratulations Barr. @damimarshall_ on your appointment as the Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Tourism. This is a deserving recognition for your hard work and contributions to our party”, to which she responded by saying “Thank you, sir.”

Another person, Balogun Basia wrote, “Please, join me in congratulating my friend K1 and the entire family on the appointment of my daughter Barrister Basirat Damilola Marshall as the SSA to the governor of Lagos State on Tourism. Damilola, this shall be the beginning of many good things that will come your way and that of your siblings Insha Allah, Alaumoh Amin.”

Until her appointment, Damilola was a principal partner at a law firm, Damilola Ayinde Marshal and Co.

As of the time of this report, efforts to reach the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Lagos State Governor, Gboyega Akosile, for confirmation proved abortive, as messages sent to his WhatsApp line were not responded to.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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