The National Economic Council (NEC) has again postponed crucial deliberations on the creation of state police forces, despite growing concerns over rising insecurity and violent attacks across Nigeria.
Governor Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State revealed this to journalists after the council’s 149th meeting held at the Aso Rock Villa. He stated that although the issue of state police was on the meeting’s agenda, it could not be addressed due to time constraints.
“State police was part of our agenda today, but unfortunately, because of time demands, and after a very long meeting, we have been there for a very long time now, the presentations could not get to that point. So, I assure you that in our next meeting, that issue will be exhaustively discussed,” Governor Diri said after the nearly four-hour session.
NEC meetings are typically held on the last Thursday of each month, but the council has convened irregularly in recent months. After its December meeting where all 36 states reportedly submitted reports in support of a decentralised police structure, the topic was deferred until January 2025. However, it was not discussed at the February sitting either.
