Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan Calls for State Police Reforms

On Thursday, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, called for the Federal Government to address several critical issues before implementing state police in Nigeria. Speaking at a conference in Abuja, she urged President Bola Tinubu's administration to focus on sustainable funding and safeguards against political abuse.

Akpoti-Uduaghan warned that if state police are not properly structured, they could become tools for political intimidation and oppression, undermining democracy. She identified funding as a major issue that the Federal Government must resolve to ensure the success of the proposed police system.

The senator emphasized that without adequate financial support, state police would struggle to fulfill their constitutional responsibilities. She also highlighted the importance of a framework that caters to personnel welfare, training, intelligence gathering, and the provision of modern policing equipment.

Akpoti-Uduaghan commended President Tinubu and the Inspector General of Police for their prompt responses to security challenges, which she believes help build public confidence.