• Seeks police presence over military visibility in internal security
• Alleges Ondo govt’s neglect of federal institutions in state

A former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Sunday Ehindero, has urged the Federal Government to restructure Nigeria’s security framework to optimally prioritise the police as the primary agency to handle internal security operations.

Ehindero, who spoke during the 20th anniversary and 16th Passing-Out Parade of the Police Secondary School in Ondo State, at the weekend, stressed the need to reduce military visibility in domestic security matters, proposing its replacement with the Police Mobile Force.

The retired police chief emphasised that the deployment of soldiers for routine internal security operations undermines the police’s constitutional role and creates an over-reliance on the armed forces.

Ehindero, while commending the President Bola Tinubu-led administration’s efforts in tackling various crimes in the country, stressed that a more structured approach is needed to enhance efficiency.

“However, there is a need to rejig our security architecture to ensure the police, properly so called, are the dominant security agent in internal security.

“The security architecture of this country has to be reassessed with a view to changing it. Let the police mobile force replace the military in internal security, as canvassed by the Plateau State Governor. The military should concentrate on our borders to prevent terrorists from entering the country,” the former IGP stated.

Ehindero, who urged the graduating students to be good ambassadors of the school, described the lack of interest on the part of successive governors in the state towards the development of federal institutions situated in various parts of the state as discouraging.

On his part, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who was represented at the event by his Senior Special Assistant on Security Matters, Gbenga Atiba, stated that the milestone achieved by the school underscores the Nigerian Police Force’s steadfast commitment to fostering education, discipline, and moral excellence for the children of its personnel and the wider community.

The Commandant of the school, Arike Ayodele, commended the IGP for his support towards the school and urged the graduating students to always endeavour to portray the school in a positive light.