Former Assistant Director with the Department of State Services, DSS, Adams Abuh, has called on the 20 governors yet to support the creation of state police to expedite action.
Abuh, who spoke in an interview on Channels Television's The Morning Brief programme, said the escalating security challenges of banditry and kidnapping in the country demanded urgent response from federal and state governments.
He also said security agents in Nigeria were handicapped as they had not been equipped with the right work tools to respond timely to emergency calls.
According to him, the Nigeria Police Force has been understaffed, with unserviceable vehicles, logistics challenges, inadequate funding, and poor remuneration, among others.
He said these factors had been responsible for the poor response time of security agencies to distress calls.
Abuh said: "There are still so many things that have been left undone before we even get to the issue of the citizens carrying arms to protect themselves.
"We have been discussing about state police. A lot of open spaces that have not been policed properly in our country still exist. And there has been unanimous calls over the years for state police. Why have we not taken advantage of that option? And the earlier we do it, the better.
"I am aware that while the National Assembly and even the government is ready, just a few states are ready to agree to state police. The earlier they agree to do it the better."
Recall that talks about state police have been gaining momentum in the last few weeks, with some governors and regional socio-political groups, such as Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Middle Belt Forum, saying it would curb menacing trend of kidnapping, banditry and sundry crimes.
Already, there are state-owned security outfits in about 23 states, including the Civilian Joint Task Force in Borno State; Amotekun Corps in the South-West geopolitical zone; Benue Guards in the North Central State, Community Protection Guards in Zamfara, Community Watch Corps in Katsina, the Neighbourhood Watch in Plateau, state-backed vigilante outfits in Niger and Bauchi, others.
