The National Economic Council (NEC) has set a deadline for four states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to submit their reports on state police, warning that they may face consequences if they fail to comply.
Following a council meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday, acting Governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal, disclosed that Kwara, Sokoto, Adamawa, Kebbi, and the FCT have until Monday to turn in their reports.
According to him, if they do not meet the deadline, they will be subject to the council’s decisions on the matter.
This follows President Bola Tinubu’s agreement on Thursday, February 15, 2024, with state governors on the establishment of state police to address the rising insecurity in the country.
The governors had recommended state-level law enforcement as a solution to ongoing security challenges.
Lawal emphasized that the urgency of the issue stems from the security concerns across various regions, including the Northeast, Northcentral, Southwest, Southeast, and South-South.
NEC had earlier called on states to provide their input on state police, aiming to create a more robust national security framework.
“Today, all the states were expected to submit their reports for NEC’s consideration. Unfortunately, four states did not do so. NEC has now decided that these states must submit their reports by Monday, 9th September, or they will be bound by whatever decision the council takes on state police,” Lawal said.
