Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has reiterated his support for the establishment of state police, describing the initiative as long overdue amid Nigeria’s persistent security challenges.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE Television on Thursday, Alia said, “State policing should have begun long before now. It’s something ideal that could have been done like yesterday.”
He argued that the current centralised policing system has left critical security gaps, noting that the Nigeria Police Force is overstretched while military personnel often lack detailed knowledge of local communities and terrain. According to him, state police would enable faster and more effective responses to region-specific security threats.
Drawing on Benue’s experience with recurring attacks on farming communities, Alia said the state understands the need for policing reforms. “Who feels it knows it all. For us in Benue State, we felt it, we know what it is,” he said.
The governor expressed confidence that ongoing legislative discussions would address concerns over funding and potential abuse of state police, adding that the reform would strengthen efforts to protect lives and property across the country.
