In response to Nigeria’s growing security crisis, founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently establish a Special Police Constabulary Unit (SPCU).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Sunday, Okechukwu stressed that the SPCU would offer an effective solution to worsening violence in states such as Benue, Plateau, and Niger. He noted that his proposal is consistent with Sections 105–109 of the Nigeria Police Act 2020, especially considering the continued reluctance of many governors to establish state police forces.

According to Okechukwu, the SPCU should function independently of the current Nigeria Police Force and should be staffed by young, disciplined, and well-trained personnel capable of confronting kidnappers, terrorists, and insurgents at the community level without falling prey to authoritarian abuses.

He recommended that the SPCU be funded through the National Emergency Fund, recruited from indigenous populations of respective states, and created in collaboration with governors, local governments, and community leaders — but with minimal federal interference to reflect the demands of Nigerians advocating for restructuring.

Reflecting on previous optimism, Okechukwu recalled that the National Economic Council (NEC) had previously celebrated bipartisan support among governors for the creation of state police. However, he expressed concern that the Council, at its recent meeting on April 24, failed to prioritize this vital security issue, describing their inaction as alarming given the country’s dire situation.

He quoted Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, who admitted that discussions on state police were sidelined due to time constraints, questioning how such a crucial matter could be overlooked amidst escalating violence.

Okechukwu also pointed to a recent statement by Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who criticized the misuse of Mobile Police Force officers as escorts for VIPs instead of addressing broader security challenges — a clear sign, he said, of the urgent need for structural reform.

He warned against continuing to rely solely on current police structures, highlighting the impact of insecurity on agriculture, youth employment, and poverty levels. Okechukwu urged President Tinubu to embrace the establishment of the SPCU, arguing that it would complement local government financial autonomy, deepen grassroots democracy, and restore security to vulnerable communities.

He concluded by emphasizing that the SPCU would be a fresh, focused force with guaranteed funding, providing a critical lifeline to a nation struggling to protect its citizens.