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Prominent Plateau State-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, has vehemently condemned plans by the federal government to establish a state police to complement efforts of regular security agencies in combating insecurity in the country.
Last week, President Bola Tinubu urged the National Assembly to consider tweaking the constitution to accommodate the creation of state police due to the escalating wave of insecurity in the country.
While addressing an audience during a programme in Jos on Sunday, the Islamic scholar, who doubles as the National Chairman of the Council of Ulama, Jama’atu Izalatul Bid’ah Wa’Ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), cautioned against creating state-controlled security outfits, alleging that such initiatives, especially in a politically charged environment like Plateau State, could be misused by politicians to destabilize the state and target opponents.
He also tied his long-standing opposition to the creation of state police to the fact that they could be used by the locals to attack those they see as settlers in a bid to force them out of the state.
Sheikh Jingir also alleged that some political actors in the state are using the push for the establishment of state police to destabilize the fragile peace in Plateau and might exploit the structures to target individuals perceived as unsympathetic to their ideology.
He emphasised the need to prioritise peace and stability over partisan interests, while urging regular dialogue between parties to find lasting peace among communities and citizens.
“Some issues, they will pretend as if everything has gone down, but they will just raise them when the security outfit is established,” Sheikh Jingir said.
He went on to ask hypothetically:
“They say they should establish police in every state. If anyone says he will accept this, are we going to accept it?” He asked.
To which the worshippers chanted, “Not at all.”
Continuing, the cleric addressing Tinubu directly:
“You know how they cheated us. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, some of these politicians are not as good as you, they are not as good as someone like Kashim Shettima.
“Wallahi, if you grant them the permission to establish police, they will start killing those who are not inclined towards their political ideology.”
