KANO State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje yesterday joined the call by some Nigerians to support the establishment of state police in each of the 36 states of the country.

Speaking to reporters at the Kano Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, Ganduje argued that the time was ripe for the creation of state police, in view of security challenges like the nefarious activities of Boko Haram, oil pipeline vandals, armed robbery, and spate of kidnapping and other violent crimes across the states.

Underlining the benefits inherent in the creation of state police, he said: “In the situation we find ourselves, I think there is no better time we need the state police than now because the security at the moment requires intelligence information. It involves people who are conversant about the society, tradition and culture. They are in a better position to assist in terms of surveillance, collecting information and effective.  So, I think the idea of a state police is something that we need to pursue.”

He said he has put in place measures to ensure sustainable peace among the ethnic nationalities in Kano State, and enjoined the citizenry to support the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, which is anchored on the need to tackle corrupt practices, insecurity and economic growth of the country.

The governor, who disclosed that he had been able to ensure an increase in internally generated revenue (IGR) from N1 billion to over N2 billion, stated that he reduced Kano State ministries from 19 to 14, coupled with a 50 per cent slash in the salaries and allowances of political appointees, which speaks volume of his resolve to peg down the cost of governance in the state.