Retired General Ishola Williams has thrown his weight behind the ongoing debate on the creation of state police as a panacea to kidnapping, banditry and the hydra-headed security challenges ubiquitous in Nigeria.
He spoke on Friday on a Channels Television programme: “Inside Sources,” hosted by veteran journalist, Laolu Akande.
The octogenarian also urged the government, on the socio-political programme, to change its strategies in the prolonged counter-insurgency war.
Williams said: “On security, if you have been doing something for over 10 years and it is not working, you should change tactics.
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“If you don’t change the doctrine and the tactics, you will never be able to deal with the problem.”
General Ishola said the current structure of the Nigeria Police Force is outdated and should be scrapped.
“The structure is completely outdated, but the police will never agree. Not only the police but the military,” he said.
He said public safety must be bottom-up because crime prevention is a much better crime control system.
Retired General Williams said: “That is why we need the state police, that is why we need the local government police.
“Because where do they kidnap people if not for communities?
“Scrap the present Nigerian Police and create a Crime Intelligence and Criminal Agency.
“What do they do?
“They will act like the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation in the United States).
“You then create a para-military police.
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“People forget that the mobile police was created as a para-military police.
“With a good para-military police and border agencies, you don’t need the military.
“The military can now concentrate in the North East.”
The retired general said many security agencies created by the government were formed not out of functionality and efficiency, but to create jobs.
Williams said until this is corrected, the desired solution would remain a mirage.