ECWA says state governors feel frustrated over their inability to give orders to security agencies in their state

In light of the incessant killings and reprisals currently taking place in Plateau state, the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) has thrown its weight behind calls for the creation of state police, insisting that it will address Nigeria’s security challenges.

“I believe that the time for state police is ripe and I want to call on the parliament (National Assembly) to initiate bills that will allow that to happen,” the church said.

ECWA gave its support through its president, Stephen Panya-Baba, during a visit on Wednesday to Ronku Aka, the Brra Nggwe Rigwe, in Miango Chiefdom of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau, where several villages were recently attacked.

During the attack on the chiefdom, scores of people were killed and many others injured. The attackers also razed many houses and destroyed farmlands in 39 communities.

To address the killings, Mr. Panya-Baba called on the federal government to allow the establishment of state police. “Let the states create their own security outfits and adequately equip them to be able to tackle internal security challenges,” he said.

According to the cleric, “Oftentimes when there is a security breach, the state government is usually incapacitated in handling the situation.

“Many of the state governors had expressed their frustrations over their inability to give orders to federal security agencies operating in their states whenever there were security breaches,” Mr. Panya-Baba said.

Commending the security agencies for swiftly responding to the Rukuba road killings, ECWA called on them to do the same whenever there are attacks in other parts of the state.

Mr. Panya-Baba said the security agencies must be fair, just, and professional in discharging their constitutional duties of safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians.

Responding, the paramount ruler of Miango Chiefdom, Mr. Aka, supported the position of the ECWA president, adding that state police would bring peace to all parts of the country.

According to the ECWA president, the move to create state police would go a long way to assist state governments to address the myriad of security challenges facing the country.