Plateau Lawmaker Gagdi Rejects Governor Mutfwang’s Call for State Police
Yusuf Gagdi, the member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has firmly opposed the call by Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, and other state leaders for the establishment of state police.
Speaking during a visit to communities in Kanam Local Government Area affected by recent attacks and displacement, Gagdi reiterated his longstanding opposition to the idea, arguing that state police could be weaponized by governors against political opponents rather than being used to maintain law and order.
“Despite the growing insecurity and infiltration by armed bandits in parts of Plateau State, I remain against the creation of state police,” Gagdi stated. “My fear is that governors will misuse such forces for political purposes instead of addressing security challenges.”
Gagdi, who has served in the House of Representatives for over a decade, specifically referenced increased insecurity in areas under his jurisdiction, including Garga, Kukawa, Kyaram, Gyambau, Dungur, and Shuwaka communities. However, he maintained that setting up a new security outfit at the state level is not the solution.
Instead, he called for increased funding and capacity building for existing security agencies such as the Nigeria Police Force, military, and the Department of State Services (DSS). He stressed that the focus should be on strengthening conventional forces and ensuring accountability in their operations.
“Nigeria is not yet mature enough for the proliferation of security agencies. Rather than create more, we should empower the existing ones with adequate resources and proper oversight,” Gagdi said, emphasizing that his views were consistent and not politically motivated.
He further urged the Federal Government and national security bodies to intensify military operations in forested areas along the borders of Plateau, Taraba, and Bauchi states to dislodge criminal elements hiding in those regions.
#UTVAfrica#
