Despite persistent calls by the Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang for the creation of state police, the lawmaker representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Yusuf Gagdi, has kicked against the idea.
Yusuf, who rejected the clamour for the creation of state police in Nigeria while visiting some attacked and displaced communities in Kanam on Sunday, said he has never been in support of the calls by Mutfwang and other governors for state police as they will be used against perceived political opponents.
He noted that despite the infiltration of armed bandits and militias and violence in the state, he will never be in support of the creation of another security force to help in tackling the invaders.
Gagdi, who has been in the House for over 10 years, said despite the increased presence of bandits in Garga, Kukawa, Kyaram, Gyambau, Dungur and Shuwaka communities of the Kanam council which is directly under his purview, the creation of state police is not the solution.
The lawmaker, however, advocated for more and better funding of conventional security agencies in the state, emphasizing that state police would not resolve Plateau’s recurring security challenges.
“My position, even on the House floor, is that governors will misuse state police, particularly against political opponents, not to maintain peace and order,” Gagdi said while addressing journalists during the visit.
“I say this without fear of contradiction or political misrepresentation. Nigeria is not ripe for proliferation of security agencies. Rather, I support strengthening existing security agencies. Fund the police, military, Department of State Services and others adequately, and ensure accountability,” Gagdi stressed.
He argued that governors would likely misuse state police, employing them against perceived political enemies rather than for genuine security and peace, while maintaining his long-held stance against replicating or multiplying security agencies under the guise of empowering some individuals with state police authority.
The Rep also urged the Federal Government and security agencies to conduct intense operations in the forests along the Plateau, Taraba and Bauchi borders to flush out criminals.
