Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has said Nigeria is not mature enough for state police.

Idris said this while speaking at a meeting with governors on Thursday in Abuja.

Idris said federal police system is the best for the country.

“I sincerely believe that the federal police is still the best for the country and with improved funding the challenges of crime will be addressed,” Jimoh Moshood, police spokesman, quoted him as saying.

“Those agitating for state police should consider the level of our political maturity.”

On the bill, he said: “Let me use this opportunity to appeal to your excellencies to prevail on your representatives at the national assembly to ensure the passage of the bill.

“It is my sincere belief that once the police trust fund bill is passed into law, the necessary finances required to effectively police the nation will be available.”

He said this would also reduce the pressure on the state governments in the funding of the police.

Idris said police officers in the country were one of the least paid security organisations in the world in spite of operating under the UN ratio of 1:400.

“About 10,000 police officers have been recruited recently to fill the gap but this is still a far cry,” he said.

“To meet up with the UN ratio of 1:400, the Nigeria police requires additional 155,000 police officers for the next five years.”

Azeez