The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has cautioned against rushing the creation of State Police, urging comprehensive national consultations.
This is contained in a statement by the council’s Secretary General, Nafiu Baba Ahmad, on Sunday in Kaduna.
The council said Nigeria’s worsening insecurity required urgent attention but warned that State Police should not be seen as a quick solution.
It noted that insecurity had claimed thousands of lives, displaced millions and disrupted agriculture, businesses and livelihoods across the country.
The council attributed security failures to inadequate funding, corruption, poor welfare, obsolete equipment, weak intelligence and ineffective coordination among existing security agencies.
It urged government to prioritise reforms through improved funding, recruitment, intelligence gathering, border security, accountability, professionalism and deployment of modern technology.
The council expressed concern over what it described as the hurried constitutional amendment process on State Police.
It said security related constitutional reforms required transparent public hearings, broad consultations and genuine national consensus before implementation.
The council faulted National Assembly proceedings, saying many Nigerians considered them insufficiently open, inclusive and consultative.
It, however, commended lawmakers who defended due process, wider consultations and the national interest during legislative deliberations.
The council warned against allowing State Police to become instruments of political intimidation or discrimination.
It stressed the need for constitutional safeguards, independent oversight, merit based recruitment, professional training and effective complaints mechanisms before establishing State Police.
The council also called for judicial and legislative oversight, sustainable funding and firm guarantees against abuse of power.
It urged President Bola Tinubu, National Assembly leaders, state governments and other stakeholders to conclude nationwide consultations before taking final decisions.
The council prayed for wisdom, sincerity and courage for Nigeria’s leaders to strengthen justice, national unity and lasting peace. (NAN)