Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa has stressed the urgent need to allow the establishment of functional state-owned police across Nigeria to curb the rising insecurity.

“The security challenges are there in Nigeria, and that is why some of us are asking for the restructuring of Nigeria. There has to be devolution of powers to the states,” Mr Diri said.

The governor spoke at the gala night to wrap up the 2022 Ijaw Diaspora Convention in Newark, New Jersey State, United States.

He expressed optimism that the operations of the state police would end the state of insecurity in the country.

The governor stressed that the federal government should respect the true dictates of the federal system fashioned after the U.S. democratic system, where equity, fairness and justice remain the order of the day.

“Right here in the U.S, I can see policemen who are not federal but under the jurisdiction of their respective states.

“That is the federal system. In Nigeria, why can’t we have state-owned policemen? State governments should be allowed, which will contribute to security in the country,” the governor said.

According to him, the current administration in Bayelsa is investing massively in security to create an enabling environment for investments to thrive.

“Bayelsa is so blessed in oil and gas, but we are redirecting our energies to gas, renewable energy and agriculture among others. The meetings have been very encouraging and positive.

“But for us, we know that security is key and that was why we established the Bayelsa State Community Safety Corps headed by a retired Brigadier-General.

“We are involving our youth in the security of their localities. Of course, relatively in Nigeria, Bayelsa remains one of the safest states,” Mr Diri said.

Meanwhile, he called on those in the diaspora to instil the values, culture and tradition of Ijaw on their children.

(NAN)