STATE POLICE VIA THE BACK DOOR?

STATE POLICE VIA THE BACK DOOR?

I applaud Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode for donating new crime-fighting equipment to the Lagos State Police Command, including helicopters, armoured personnel carriers, motor vehicles, trucks etc. He has done very well. Other State Governors should emulate him.

But have you noticed that the vehicles do not bear the usual blue, yellow and green colours of the Nigeria Police Force? The cars are white with red and blue stripes. They even have a new logo and not the Nigeria Police Force insignia.

Is the Lagos State Government starting its State Police through the backdoor? It is unconstitutional and illegal for the Lagos State Government to unilaterally change the colours and logo of the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Police Force. It is worrisome that this affront happened in the presence of the Inspector General of Police and a Federal Minister who launched the vehicles as a representative of President Muhammadu Buhari.

This is a dangerous precedent and the Lagos State Government should be called to order. All the vehicles should be repainted and bear the logo of the Nigeria Police Force.