The Archbishop of Lagos Province and Diocesan Bishop of Lagos Mainland of the African Church, the Most Reverend Julius Ogunseye, has expressed support for creation of state police, saying it will fix the nation’s security challenges.

The clergyman also urged Nigerians to embrace peace, noting that only a peaceful atmosphere can aid the rapid development of the country.

Ogunseye made the remarks in a sermon he delivered on Easter Sunday at the African Church Salem Cathedral, Ebute Metta, Lagos.

He said: “As a nation let us always embrace peace. I heard in the news yesterday that about 11 people were killed leaving several injured in Makurdi, Benue State while they were in the church by unknown gunmen.

“I am appealing to our federal government to enact the laws that will allow the creation of state police. We are not safe again in this country.’’

The clergyman also called for the retraining of policemen as way of curbing or reducing their unprofessional conduct on duty and extra-judicial killing of citizens.

‘’Our police officers need to go for retraining. Our police colleges must be restructured. It seems there is a huge gap between the training from the colleges and the real life situation.

‘’In Nigeria today, if you make a mistake instead of our police to correct you, they will always want to capitalise on your error and will want to extort you.

“The way our police do go about extra judicial killings these days is becoming totally unacceptable.

‘’Also, the way our brothers and sisters are being killed in Diaspora looks like we do not have recognition in the international scene or we do not have external affairs ministry.”