Traditional rulers in Benue State, led by the Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, and the Ochi’Idoma, His Royal Majesty Agaba-Idu Elaigwu Obagaji, have called for the inclusion of traditional institutions in the recruitment, operations and supervision of the proposed State Police.
The royal fathers made the appeal during a colloquium on State Police organised by Lawyers Alert in partnership with the Bureau of Homeland Security. The event was held at the Father Alia Conference Hall of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in Makurdi.
Speaking on the importance of community-driven policing, the Tor Tiv noted that the persistent security challenges in Benue had also affected traditional institutions. He maintained that involving traditional rulers in the establishment and management of State Police would be essential to achieving its objectives.
Ayatse urged the government to engage traditional authorities in developing the proposed security outfit, particularly in determining the criteria for recruiting and screening personnel.
“Traditional institutions are closer to the people and have a better understanding of the communities they serve,” he said.
According to him, traditional rulers possess valuable knowledge of the people in their respective communities, which could help security authorities assess the character, conduct and backgrounds of prospective recruits.
He explained that leveraging this knowledge would help ensure that individuals with good reputations and proven integrity were selected for service.
The Tor Tiv also advocated a well-defined operational framework to regulate interactions between the proposed State Police, traditional institutions and other security agencies.
He said the arrangement should establish clear procedures for intelligence exchange, joint operations and inter-agency collaboration. He added that traditional rulers could contribute significantly to identifying emerging threats and providing timely information from their communities.
On funding, Ayatse called for adequate financial provisions and a comprehensive budget to support the effective functioning of the proposed police force. He cautioned that insufficient funding could weaken its operations and limit its ability to address security challenges.
The monarch further emphasised the importance of professionalism and political neutrality, insisting that the proposed outfit should prioritise the protection of citizens and communities rather than advancing personal or partisan interests.
He urged stakeholders to move beyond deliberations and take practical measures towards establishing State Police. Ayatse also assured Governor Hyacinth Alia that traditional institutions would support efforts to implement the initiative.
Similarly, the Ochi’Idoma called for a well-trained, accountable and community-oriented State Police capable of addressing the security concerns confronting Benue State.
He stressed that the establishment of the outfit should go beyond decentralising policing, explaining that its personnel must receive professional training, have access to appropriate equipment and technology, and operate in accordance with the law.
The traditional ruler also advocated the integration of traditional institutions into the state’s security framework, noting that their close relationship with grassroots communities placed them in a strategic position to identify potential security threats early.
He said “traditional institutions could contribute to early-warning systems, intelligence gathering, mediation, community engagement and conflict prevention without interfering with the constitutional responsibilities of the police.”
The Ochi’Idoma also called for an open and merit-driven recruitment process, warning that political considerations and personal relationships should not determine who gets recruited into the proposed force.
He said “traditional rulers should be consulted during recruitment because they possessed useful knowledge about the character and background of people within their respective communities.”
On collaboration, the monarch stressed the need for the proposed State Police to work effectively with existing security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies and the Benue State Civil Protection Guard.
He explained that clearly established procedures for information sharing, operational coordination, supervision and accountability would be necessary to prevent overlapping responsibilities and possible abuse of authority.
According to him, “The success of State Police should ultimately be measured by its ability to prevent attacks, protect lives and property, respond effectively to security threats and restore citizens’ confidence.”
The Ochi’Idoma praised the Benue State Government and the Bureau of Homeland Security for bringing stakeholders together to discuss the proposed policing system.
He assured the organisers that traditional institutions were prepared to support the development of a security structure that prioritises the needs of the people while maintaining professional standards and accountability.
He urged all stakeholders involved in the process to ensure that the establishment of State Police was anchored on merit, integrity, professionalism, transparency and respect for human dignity.
