Local police better than state police—Bukar Usman

Historian Bukar Usman has urged Nigeria to prioritise the establishment of local police rooted in community knowledge rather than focusing solely on creating state police, arguing that effective security depends on local intelligence rather than the level at which policing is organised.

Speaking at the ARISE NEWS Townhall on State Police, Usman said his position was informed by decades of experience and childhood memories of the Native Authority Police in Biu, Borno State, which he described as highly effective in maintaining security.

“I have been an advocate for local police, not necessarily state police. Local police,” he said, adding that his campaign for community-based policing predated the current national debate on state police.

Usman argued that Nigeria’s security challenges stem more from poor implementation than constitutional deficiencies, insisting that the country’s legal framework already provides adequate structures for security management at the federal, state and local levels.

According to him, the real concern is whether constitutionally recognised security bodies have been properly constituted, meet regularly and submit reports to the appropriate authorities as required.

He maintained that state governors already possess constitutional powers to direct Commissioners of Police, citing relevant constitutional provisions, but noted that such directives must remain lawful.

“The constitution is very clear as far as I’m concerned. There is nothing wrong with the structure in terms of security,” he said.

While acknowledging fears that state police could be abused for political purposes, Usman argued that the problem lies with those exercising authority rather than with the constitutional framework itself.

“At the end of the day, it’s a human factor,” he stated.

The historian described local knowledge as the missing link in Nigeria’s security architecture, stressing that security personnel cannot effectively combat crime in unfamiliar environments without the support and intelligence of local communities.

“You cannot operate effectively without local knowledge,” he said, questioning why communities had become ungoverned spaces despite the presence of residents and hunters who understand the terrain.

Using a riverine community as an analogy, Usman said officers deployed to unfamiliar areas without local understanding would struggle to perform effectively.

He maintained that if the constitutional security structures functioned as intended, threats could be detected and addressed at the grassroots before escalating into national security crises.

Usman called on authorities to ensure that all constitutionally recognised security bodies are properly constituted, meet consistently and submit reports regularly without legal or political interference.

Although he reiterated his preference for local police, he said he would not oppose the establishment of state police, provided those entrusted with policing powers exercised them responsibly.

According to him, the misuse of policing powers would always remain a question of individual conscience rather than constitutional design.