Differing opinions have continued to trail the introduction of state policing into Nigeria’s security system, and architecture. At the National Dialogue on State Policing held in Abuja, on Monday 22 April, while one side of the argument insists that the country’s centralized police system is inadequate to contain the present level of insecurity in the country, the opposing group fears that governors could use it to haunt their opponents.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who opened the one-day National Dialogue on State Policing with the theme, “Pathways to Peace: Reimagining Policing in Nigeria” at the Abuja Continental Hotel, described as unwavering President Bola Tinubu’s resolve to reform the Nigeria Police Force and enhance security across Nigeria. He observed that the idea of state policing was not just a mere policy proposal, but a potential milestone in the evolution of the nation’s law enforcement framework that would create the opportunity to fashion law enforcement in a manner that would closely address the various demands of communities across the country. In a statement by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said that the Tinubu administration is very aware of the complex security issues confronting Nigeria, and as such is continually developing and refining its strategies and methods to address them effectively. Shettima implored participants at the National Dialogue on State Policing to look at the idea of state policing from multiple angles, saying the President deserves commendation for being open and proactive towards the idea of reforming and decentralising the police force.
Shettima expressed delight that the 10th House of Representatives under Speaker Tajudeen Abbas had keyed into the idea of state policing, noting that “the involvement of the legislature in executive reform proposals ensures continuity and synergy. He expressed readiness to support and implement the meaningful recommendations of the House of Representatives on reforms of the entire policing system to enhance the security of the country. But the IGP, Olukayode Egbetokun has said that instead of creating state police, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Road Safety Corps should be merged as a Department under the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). Represented by an Assistant Inspector General of Police, Ben Okolo, the IGP also said that yearly police recruitment should be increased by at least 30,000 to meet the United Nations requirements. He also called for increased budgetary allocations to the Nigerian Police, effective training of personnel in modern policing to enhance efficiency and amendment of the Constitution for more empowerment, and funding of police which is the lead internal security agency.
Egbetokun noted that if state police is established, governors will use it for political or personal gains and undermine human rights and security, adding that bringing state police at the moment will exacerbate ethnic tension in the country. Some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have supported the rejection of state police by the IGP. The CSOs expressed fear that state police will be liable to abuse and said that Nigeria is currently not ready for it. In his remark, former President Goodluck Jonathan said there is no way that the country can manage its internal security if states do not have their police formations, noting that the issue is how they will function in national security architecture. Jonathan said while state police are being debated, the issue of the National Border Force must be considered as it would help in tackling criminal elements who do not pass through the controlled routes manned by the Nigerian Customs Service and Nigerian Immigration Service. A former head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, wants traditional rulers as part of the security architecture of the country as they have native intelligence at their disposal. He further stated that for the country to have peace and progress, the government must be transparent and accountable while the citizens must perform their civic duties of obeying laws and regulations.
