|By Chinwendu Nwani
A former ally of Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Brigadier General John Sura (Rtd), has joined the growing list of political figures in the state rejecting the call for the creation of state police, warning that such an institution could become a political weapon in the hands of governors.
In an interview with journalists in Jos on Saturday, the retired Army officer—who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC)—said he is “vehemently opposed” to the establishment of a state police in Plateau.
General Sura argued that existing security outfits such as the Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), the federally approved Operation Rainbow, and the Nigeria Police Force are sufficient to maintain law and order if properly equipped and managed.
“Most governors already have different security outfits running within their states. In the South-East, there is the ECN; in the South-West, Amotekun. Plateau State already has Operation Rainbow, certified and equipped by the Federal Government. So, Plateau has no business crying for state police,” he said.
The retired general maintained that granting governors control over a state police force would inevitably lead to political manipulation and intimidation of perceived opponents. He warned that recruitment would likely be influenced by political loyalty rather than merit, undermining the neutrality and professionalism of the security system.
Sura further noted that the volatile nature of Plateau politics makes the state particularly vulnerable to the misuse of such a force. “If there’s state police, the personnel will be used to hunt down those who oppose the government,” he cautioned.
He urged the state to focus instead on strengthening existing structures like Operation Rainbow, which, if properly equipped and efficiently managed, could achieve the same goals without politicizing security operations.
While Governor Mutfwang remains one of the leading advocates for state police, Sura’s defection and vocal opposition underscore growing divisions within Plateau’s political elite over the controversial proposal.
