Former Inspector General of Police, Sunday Ehindero, has called on President Bola Tinubu to scale down the military’s involvement in domestic security operations across Nigeria.
Speaking at the 20th anniversary and 16th Passing-Out Parade of the Police Secondary School in Akure, Ondo State, Ehindero advocated for the strengthening of the Police Mobile Force as a more appropriate alternative for handling internal security challenges.
“The military should focus on securing our borders to stop terrorists from infiltrating the country,” he said.
He also urged the federal government to restructure the nation’s security architecture, placing greater emphasis on the police as the lead agency responsible for maintaining internal peace and order.
He said: “On security matters, I commend the present administration for its efforts in bringing down crimes such as kidnapping, terrorism, insurgency, Boko Haram, child trafficking, banditry and cultism.
“Arrests had been made by police, and arms and ammunition recovered from criminals after the Benue and Plateau incursions by bandits.
“Our armed forces are bombarding terrorists at our borders, making way for reduced crimes in internal security. These are commendable efforts.
“However, there is a need to rejig our security architecture to ensure the police, properly so called, is the dominant security agent in internal security.
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“The Federal Government should reduce the visibility of the military in internal security.
“The security architecture of this country has to be reassessed to change it. Let the police mobile force replace the military in internal security, as canvassed by the Plateau State Governor.
“The military should concentrate on our borders to prevent terrorists from entering the country.”
In his goodwill message, Governor Aiyedatiwa, said that the milestone achieved by the school underscores the Nigerian Police Force’s steadfast commitment to fostering education, discipline, and moral excellence for the children of its personnel and the wider community.
Aiyedatiwa, who spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Security Matters, Mr Gbenga Atiba, said: “Since its inception, it has grown significantly, expanding from a few schools to a network of primary and secondary schools across Nigeria.
“This growth reflects the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to ensuring access to holistic education that prepares pupils for leadership and societal contributions.
“However, the initiative has faced challenges, including inadequate funding, infrastructural deficits, and the need to align curricula with modern educational standards.”
