As reported by Punch, the National Economic Council (NEC) has issued a warning to states that have not yet submitted their reports on the establishment of state police, threatening to enforce its decision if the reports are not provided.

President Bola Tinubu had previously endorsed the creation of state police, following a recommendation from state governors to combat rising insecurity across the country. States were instructed to submit their reports for NEC deliberation and action.

During a NEC meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday, acting Oyo State Governor, Bayo Lawal, revealed that four states have yet to submit their reports. NEC has now set a deadline of Monday for these states to comply or face consequences based on the council’s decision.

The states in question are Kwara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Adamawa, and the Federal Capital Territory.

Lawal stated, “An update on the establishment of State police was considered and this was as a result of the security situation challenges that we have across the nation in Northeast, Northcentral, southwest, Southeast and south-south, so that we would have a robust security in our nation.

“For that purpose sometimes last year, NEC considered the establishment of state police and asked states to make submissions of considerations

“Today, all the states were supposed to submit for consideration of the NEC. Incidentally, four states couldn’t submit for that purpose.

“NEC decided that those states must make their submissions on or before Monday 9th September, otherwise, whatever decision NEC takes on the establishment of State police is binding on those states that refused to make submission. So, that is the resolution as at today’s NEC meetings.”