The South-East is moving closer to having state police, with the region’s assemblies expressing support for a Bill that would establish such a force. According to a report by Vanguard News, the Houses of Assembly in Anambra, Enugu, Imo, and Abia have already passed the Bill, with Ebonyi’s assembly close to following suit. This development comes as the South-East seeks to bolster its security apparatus, amidst growing concerns about insecurity in the region.
While the move towards state police has been welcomed by many, concerns have also been raised about the potential for political abuse. In a statement, the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Uche Okafor, emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the implementation of the state police initiative. ‘We must ensure that the state police force is not used as a tool for political repression or intimidation,’ he said.
The support for state police in the South-East is part of a broader national debate on the issue. While proponents argue that state police are needed to address regional security challenges, critics worry about the potential for abuse and the potential for ethnic and political tensions to be exacerbated. It remains to be seen how the federal government will respond to the South-East’s push for state police, and whether other regions will follow suit.
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