Rights activist advocates state police for better security

[Mirror]

Prof. Ishaq Akintola, the Director of Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), on Wednesday called for the creation of state police to complement the efforts of the Nigeria Police. In a statement issued in Lagos, Akintola said that creation of state police would also help to checkmate some excesses of federal police in the times of politics. State police, the activist said, would also enhance general security of life and property in every part of the country.

Akintola, a lecturer at the Lagos State University, Ojoo, alleged that certain political party was using the Nigeria Police to intimidate opposition. He said the tendency would be minimised if states were allowed to have their police formations.

Akintola advised political leaders to be careful in playing their games so as not to scuttle the nation's democracy. He urged the ruling parties at both state and federal levels to refrain from using police to harass the opposition.

"Those who have been calling for the creation of state police are right after all. "It has become very glaring that the centre is too powerful, giving credence to the saying that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

"The need to create state police formations is imperative. There must be balance of power," he said. The don appealed to the political leaders to fear God in all their dealings while struggling for political power.