A significant number of Nigerian governors have publicly declared their support for the establishment of state police. These governors argue that the current centralized structure of the Nigeria Police Force is inadequate for addressing the diverse and localized security challenges faced by their states.
For example, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has been vocal about the need for decentralized policing, citing persistent security threats such as kidnapping, banditry, and communal violence in the North-West. Similarly, South-West governors, who pioneered the Amotekun Corps, view state policing as a natural evolution of regional security outfits designed to protect their people more effectively.
These governors emphasize the benefits of having police officers who are familiar with local cultures, languages, and terrains, arguing that such familiarity enhances community trust and operational efficiency.
Governors with Reservations
Despite the growing support, not all governors are enthusiastic about state police. Some have expressed deep concerns about the potential for abuse of power and the politicization of security forces. These governors worry that local police could be used as tools of oppression against political opponents or ethnic minorities within their states.
Additionally, there are concerns about the financial implications of maintaining separate police forces. States with limited revenue generation capabilities fear that they may struggle to adequately fund, equip, and train state police units, leading to disparities in law enforcement quality across the country.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, notably did not submit any recommendations during the NEC deliberations. His silence has been interpreted by some as skepticism or strategic neutrality, reflecting the delicate balancing act required in navigating such a significant shift in national security policy.
Ultimately, the division among governors underscores the complexities involved in implementing state police. While there is a shared recognition of the need for reform, the paths to achieving it vary significantly based on political, economic, and regional considerations.
Blueprint Details: What the State-Police Plan Entails
Structural Design
The proposed blueprint for state police outlines a detailed structural framework intended to balance autonomy with accountability. Each state would establish its own police force, led by a State Police Commissioner appointed through a process involving both the state government and an independent oversight body. This dual-appointment mechanism aims to prevent unilateral control by state executives.
Operationally, the state police would handle internal security matters such as community policing, traffic enforcement, and crime prevention within state boundaries. Federal crimes and inter-state criminal activities would remain under the jurisdiction of the Nigeria Police Force and other national security agencies.
Funding Mechanisms
The blueprint proposes a mixed funding model involving allocations from state budgets, internally generated revenues, and potential grants from federal and international development agencies. To ensure sustainability, states would be required to establish dedicated security trust funds, managed transparently with inputs from civil society and private sector stakeholders.
Recruitment and Training
Recruitment into the state police forces would prioritize local candidates to ensure cultural and linguistic familiarity. The training curriculum would be standardized nationwide to maintain professional consistency, with modules on human rights, community relations, and conflict resolution. Recruits would undergo joint training sessions with federal police to foster cooperation and shared operational standards.
Oversight and Accountability
Each state would establish an independent Police Service Commission responsible for recruitment, promotion, discipline, and complaints handling. These commissions would operate in conjunction with national oversight bodies to prevent abuses and ensure transparency. Furthermore, periodic performance audits would be conducted, and findings made public to foster trust and improve service delivery.
Collectively, these elements of the blueprint are designed to ensure that the implementation of state police not only addresses security concerns but also aligns with democratic principles and good governance practices.
Impact on National Security and Community Safety
Localized Policing and Faster Response Times
A major argument in favor of state police is their potential to improve response times. When security operatives are stationed locally, they can react to incidents within minutes—unlike the current structure, which often requires clearance from federal command centers. This is especially crucial in rural and hard-to-reach areas where federal officers lack presence or operational intelligence.
State police are expected to understand local terrains, languages, and community dynamics. This familiarity enhances intelligence gathering and community trust, two critical pillars of effective policing. For instance, in many northern states plagued by banditry, locals often hesitate to report crimes to federal forces due to fear or distrust. A locally recruited and managed police unit might reverse this dynamic.
Reducing the Burden on Federal Security Agencies
The centralized police system has often been overwhelmed. Nigeria’s federal police-to-citizen ratio is alarmingly low—far below the UN-recommended 1:450 ratio. Establishing state police could reduce the workload on the Nigeria Police Force and allow them to concentrate on federal crimes, high-profile investigations, and interstate or international criminal networks.
This division of labor, if implemented correctly, could lead to a more focused and competent national policing strategy, with states addressing grassroots crime while the federal government tackles macro-level threats.
Potential for Political Abuse and Ethnic Tensions
Despite the security advantages, many analysts warn that state police could become tools for political witch-hunting or be hijacked by ethnic interests. In a country as diverse and politically charged as Nigeria, there’s a risk that governors could deploy state police units to silence dissent or settle political scores.
Without proper training, oversight, and a code of ethics, state police could quickly become vigilante outfits under the guise of law enforcement. This is especially dangerous in volatile regions with ongoing ethnic, religious, or communal tensions. For example, state-controlled police in areas with active separatist or herder-farmer conflicts could deepen divides if seen as favoring one side.
Case Studies: Lessons from Regional Security Initiatives
Nigeria already has several quasi-state policing models in operation. For example:
Amotekun (South-West): Initially welcomed for curbing robbery and kidnapping, the outfit has faced criticism for poor coordination with federal police and occasional human rights violations.
Ebube Agu (South-East): Created to combat rising insecurity in the region but struggled with funding, personnel training, and legitimacy.
These experiences underline the need for proper training, legal backing, and operational synergy with federal forces before rolling out state police nationwide.
The Road Ahead for State Police in Nigeria
Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads. The decision to adopt state policing is not just a security strategy—it’s a constitutional, political, and social reconfiguration of power and responsibility. The Abuja State-Police Conference and the broader discourse have shown that there is both a need and a desire for reform. But desire alone is not enough.
For state police to become a functional and credible institution in Nigeria, several things must happen:
Clear Legal Framework: Constitutional amendments must explicitly outline the roles, limits, and responsibilities of state police forces.
Independent Oversight: Each state must establish a neutral police service commission to prevent politicization and human rights violations.
Operational Synergy: Federal and state policing structures must work collaboratively, with defined jurisdictions and shared intelligence protocols.
Civic Engagement: Citizens must be part of the oversight process to ensure accountability, inclusiveness, and public trust.
Training and Capacity Building: Before deploying officers, states must invest in professional training, logistics, and infrastructure to prevent the emergence of unregulated militias under state banners.
The blueprint may have been tabled in Abuja, but its implementation rests squarely on the collaboration between federal lawmakers, state governments, civil society, and the Nigerian people. If done right, this could mark the beginning of a more secure and responsive Nigeria. If mishandled, it could deepen existing divisions and create new challenges.
The choice, as always, lies in the execution.
