- The calls for the creation of state police prompted President Bola Tinubu and governors of the 36 states to reach an agreement in mid-February 2024.
- They agreed on state police as a method to curb the escalating security challenges in the country
The national economic council (NEC) has directed Kwara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Adamawa, and the federal capital territory (FCT) to submit their reports on the creation of state police on or before September 9.
Bayo Lawal, acting governor of Oyo, announced the deadline on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents after the NEC meeting presided over by Vice-President Kashim Shettima at the presidential villa, Abuja.
Lawal said the council would take appropriate decisions if the states failed to present their reports on September 9.
“An update on the establishment of state police was considered, and this was as a result of the security situation challenges that we have across the nation in north-east, north-central, south-west, south-east and south-south,” he said.
“Today, all the states were supposed to submit their reports for consideration of the NEC. Incidentally, four states couldn’t submit.
“NEC decided that those states must make their submissions on or before Monday, September 9th; otherwise, whatever decision NEC takes on the establishment of state police is binding on those states that refuse to make submissions.”
On February 15, the federal government set up a committee to explore the creation of state police in the country.
In March, NEC said 20 states were yet to send in reports on the establishment of state police.