Clamour for State Police and matters arising

By Ochiaka Ugwu

The clamor and discussion for State Police have dominated the civic space for almost three months now with most Nigerians calling openly for total and wholistic rearrangement of nation’s policing architecture to withstand the current insecurity bedeviling Nigeria currently.

Only yesterday, Nigerian president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu in response to rising insecurity and consequent calls by Nigeria to tackle it, sent an Executive Bill entitled: “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Altercation) (Police Bill) 2026 to House of Representatives seeking to alter the constitution to establish state police in the country. He went on to urge Reps to expedite its passage, stating that decentralized policing is an important pillar of his security reform.

However, the demand for states to have their own police became necessary and popular following the inability of the conventional police to manage the recent surge in crimes and criminalities. Nigerians see their efforts as being increasingly untenable in the face of escalating insecurity. Security is the first duty that any government owns its citizens. In Nigeria, it is captured in section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended. Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution vested the exclusive power of policing in the hands of the Federal Government which has raised concerns given the growing insecurity in the land. Truth being that Nigeria Police, with approximately 371,000 workforces for a nation exceeding 230 million, cannot police effectively. It means a ratio of approximately one officer to 620 citizens and it is contrary to United Nations recommended ratio of 1:400.

These operational shortfalls have reared its ugly head on slow response to emergencies, poor intelligence, eroding citizens confidence which has led to rise of non-state actors such as village guards, vigilantes, Civilian Joint Task Forces, hunter groups and other state security bodies trying to complement the police. This uncomfortable reality of the police not been able to police Nigerians as expected has reawakened the call for state police.

Interestingly, the proposal for State Police has become a debate by two opposing forces. While one side favours the preposition noting that it will ensure effective policing of grassroots where 80 percent of crime happens, the opposing side expressed fear that it may lead to gubernatorial dictatorship in the states.

Proponents of state police have the conviction that it will improve security situation in the country noting that the country has become too large for police to protect with its security architecture being complex. They argued that the bureaucratic bottleneck of always waiting for Abuja to respond on issues of urgent security matter that affects locals would be put to rest with establishment of State Police. Also, Nigeria practices federalism. In countries like the United States of America (USA), which Nigeria copied its system from, there are both federal and state police.  Even, Germany, India, Canada, and Australia all have state police which works effectively and collaborate with central police when the need arises.

There would be quick response to attacks against the current system, that governors will be waiting for Commissioner of Police to get Abuja’s nod before acting. This process can delay urgent decisions. It has led to much security mishap due to inability to affect prompt action. It will enable the governors who are the Chief security officers of their various states to take responsibility and live up to expectation in providing adequate security. There is always blame game between central and state governments when there is issue of security. Federal will blame governors, stating that governors are chief security officers of their various states. State will turn around and heap the blame on the center claiming that Commissioners of Police take order from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) who reports to the president.

There is no doubt that State police will enhance intelligence gathering giving the fact that operatives recruited from local communities understand the terrain well and the people better and can easily respond to emergencies within a shot while.

Upon these advantages, those who wants the statuesque maintained are raising serious concerns about state police. They argued that governors may abuse their power and make state police operational tools against perceived political opponents and critics. History has recorded how governors are weakening state institutions for personal control and personal aggrandizement. A good example is the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), which conduct local government elections. They are tied under the apron string of governors making it possible for him to dictate for them on whom they should return elected without due contest. Most Nigerians believe that local councils’ elections are not always credible and fair occasioned by governors’ interference.

Another area of concern is funding. The source of funding for state police has raised debates among Nigerians who questioned how possible it would be, when even the federal police are not well funded. This has raised the question on how states will fund theirs with some not able to pay N70, 000 Minimum Wage. Maintaining a well-equipped police force needs enormous funding that ensure better welfare and improved operational equipment for effective and adequate policing. Insufficient funding is a respite for corruption, extortion, bribery and inefficiency. Federal and state governments must make proper financial plans to take care of the welfare of police officers. This may be in form of having a dedicated fund from Federal Allocation Account to effectively run the police to meet up its mandate.

The case of compromising professionalism in the alter of tribal consideration or favoritism during recruitment was also raised. Given the fact that Nigeria is diverse and recruiters may tend to favour their people during enlistment as it will be the prerogative of state government to employ and deploy. This could lead to fear and lack of trust by other people who are inhabiting the state raising the question of fairness and inclusivity.

The continued discussions over state police shows the peoples’ determination to have a responsible and responsive policing system that will meet the expectation of every Nigerian. This desire is reenforced by high rate of crimes in the society given credence that reform and modernization of the Police and rejigging of security architecture are not only necessary, but should be immediate.

While the issues raised by Nigerians like governors making state police their operational tools, lack of funding, fear of exclusion and fairness in recruitment, and clash with federal police due to overlapping functions are genuine, these foreseen challenges can be addressed through constitutional means, strict monitoring, strong political will, disciplined leadership and workable legal framework.

The widespread call for state police was a direct outcome of fragile security architecture experienced mostly in the local communities. Nigerians want an effective, efficient, responsible and responsive security system that will guarantee their safety at all times. Our struggling security system points directly to the need for reform and modernization of our security scheme which must be constructive, strategic and sustainable to meet the yearning and aspiration of Nigerians who desire eagle-eyed-security surveillance to enable them sleep with two eyes closed and engage in their lawful activities without fear, harassment nor intimidation.