Despite persistent appeals by Plateau State Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang for the creation of state police, a federal lawmaker representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Constituency, Yusuf Gagdi, has firmly opposed the proposal.

 

Speaking on Sunday during a visit to attacked and displaced communities in Kanam, Gagdi argued that Nigeria is “not ripe” for the proliferation of security agencies. He warned that state-controlled police would likely be used by governors to intimidate political opponents rather than maintain law and order.

 

“My position, even on the House floor, is that governors will misuse state police, particularly against political opponents, not to maintain peace and order,” he said, stressing that his stance was not based on fear of political misrepresentation.

 

The lawmaker maintained that even with the infiltration of armed bandits and militias across Garga, Kukawa, Kyaram, Gyambau, Dungur and Shuwaka communities in Kanam Local Government Area, creating state police is not the solution.

 

Instead, Gagdi—who has spent over a decade in the House of Representatives—called for increased funding and better equipment for existing security agencies. He urged the Federal Government to strengthen the police, military, and Department of State Services (DSS), while ensuring strict accountability.

 

He further appealed to federal authorities and security agencies to intensify operations in forests along the Plateau, Taraba and Bauchi borders to flush out armed criminals.