State Police: Governors Can’t Be Trusted With Power To Control AK-47 — Reps Member

House of Representatives member Yusuf Gagdi has expressed strong reservations about the ongoing push for the establishment of state police, warning that state governors cannot be trusted with the power to control armed security outfits.

Speaking in an interview with Channels Television on Tuesday, Gagdi, who chairs the House Committee on Defence, argued that allowing governors to oversee state police formations, including the authority to control rifles like AK-47s, could lead to widespread abuse of power, political intimidation, and threats to democracy.

The lawmaker maintained that while insecurity across the country requires urgent and effective responses, handing such powers to governors might worsen the situation.

“We cannot trust governors with the control of AK-47s in the hands of state police. It will be abused for political purposes,” Gagdi said.

He instead advocated for reforms that would strengthen community policing under the supervision of the Nigeria Police Force, rather than creating a parallel system under the control of state executives.

Debates around state policing have intensified in recent months, with proponents insisting it is the only sustainable solution to insecurity across the federation. Critics, however, fear it could be weaponised by governors against political opponents and citizens.