Former Inspector-General of Police, Mike Okiro, has endorsed the proposed establishment of state police in Nigeria, describing it as a necessary step toward improving security, but criticised the suggested five-year implementation timeline as too long.
Okiro made the remarks during an interview on ARISE NEWS recently, where he argued that decentralising the police force would enhance efficiency and responsiveness across the country.
He said deploying up to 60 per cent of police personnel to the states is both practical and necessary, considering Nigeria’s vast geographical, ethnic and linguistic diversity.
“That is proper because Nigeria is so wide—geographically, ethnically, and linguistically. This is what should have been the case all along,” he said.
The former police chief attributed longstanding inefficiencies in the current policing structure to inadequate federal funding and overstretch, noting that decentralisation would enable state governments to better equip and manage officers.
“The federal government has not been able to equip the police properly, maybe because of budget constraints and competing priorities. If decentralisation comes in and states take responsibility for part of the police, it will be better,” he added.
Okiro further noted that state policing would foster healthy competition among governors, leading to improved service delivery.
“There will be competition among the states—each trying to do better in terms of policing. Governors are already doing well in other areas, and this will reflect in policing too,” he said.
He also emphasised the importance of local knowledge, arguing that officers deployed within familiar cultural and linguistic environments are likely to perform more effectively.
On institutional reforms, Okiro questioned the need for establishing a new National Police Standards Committee, noting that the Police Service Commission already has clearly defined oversight responsibilities, including appointments, promotions and discipline.
“The Police Service Commission already has clear functions. We must ensure roles are not duplicated but properly aligned,” he said.
Okiro concluded that decentralised policing, supported by adequate funding, legal clarity and coordination, remains a viable solution to Nigeria’s security challenges.
“State police will improve efficiency, accountability and response to local security issues—if properly implemented,” he said.
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