ABUJA – Vice-President Yemi Osibanjo yesterday, reiterate the sacrosance of State Police in mitigating violent crises that have enveloped the country in recent times.
Making the declaration while opening a 2-day Summit on National Security in Abuja, the VP asserted declared that going by the United States standard of one policeman to 400 persons, it was practically impossible for the federal government to police the country.

He noted that the current population of Nigeria was about 180 million in addition to the current nation-wide travails of invassion and murder of the citizens being increasingly perpetrated by foolani herdsmen among others.
To this end, the VP submitted that the way to go was introduction of State Police, in which every state of the federation is allowed to establish its police outfit, to secure its people and territory.
The Vice President further submitted that by dint of Land Use Act, ownership of land is vested on State Government, as such, no land would be forcefully taken by the federal government to establish cattle colony.
He noted that laudable though, the proposed cattle colony for each state of the federation was not a must, but that interested states should cooperate with investors to make the programme work.

However, Vice President Osibanjo commended the Senate of the Federal Republic, for initiating and organising the Security Summit which, he noted, was appropriate and timely.
Earlier in his address, Senate President Bukola Saraki, explained that the 2-Day dialogue was “convened as a matter of national urgency” because of “escalating threats to the peace and security of our dear country”.
“It becomes necessary to put heads together, share ideas and map out strategies to see us out of the current predicament”, the SP stressed.

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“The Summit programme has been designed to allow full and unfettered discussion. All participants are therefore encouraged to be forthright in expressing their views, and show commitment to the need for solution.
Let me reiterate that we are not here to indict anybody. This is not an indictment, it is not to lay blame or point fingers, and it is not to take credit for what goes well.
This process is very much solutions-driven. In order for us to ameliorate the current difficulties, therefore, it is important that people speak frankly.

In that vein, let me say to those who will make contributions during the sessions: please, do not be on the defensive.
Nobody is on trial here. Let us make our submissions with openness, in good faith and with an attitude that is forward-looking.
When all is said and done, this is a worthy exercise, for the good of Nigeria, and we should all strive to do our best, – and that work begins at this Summit.

What our country needs at this time is leadership that will work to douse the flames and reduce tension in the land.
It is essential that we lower the barriers in our actions and rhetoric, and refrain from playing politics with a crisis situation in which Nigerian lives are being lost, tragically and needlessly, on a regular basis.
Present at the summit were service chiefs, the Inspector-Gene9ral of Police, heads of paramilitary establishments, Senators, House of Reps members, Stste Governors and security experts among others.
A communique is expected to be issued at the end the 2-day Security Summit that today.