Ex-IGP Egbetokun Advocates Governance Reforms for Security

Kayode Egbetokun, the immediate past Inspector General of Police, addressed the federal and state governments during his keynote speech at the 20th International Conference and General Assembly of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP) held at Lead City University, Ibadan. He argued that effective governance is essential for addressing insecurity, stating, “there is no military solution to a governance problem.” Egbetokun called for a strategic redefinition of Nigeria's security strategy, focusing on food security, job security, health security, and school security.

He noted that poverty creates a recruitment base for extremist ideologies and criticized the approach of "policing poverty with bullets." Egbetokun advocated for a multi-level policing system that includes federal, state, and community levels, emphasizing the need for clear rules of engagement and accountability. He acknowledged the dedication of police officers but pointed out structural deficits within the Nigeria Police Force.