Nigeria needs State Police, despite the risks

Guardian Nigeria

Is Nigeria ready for State Police? The debate around establishing state-level policing in Nigeria is heating up, and for good reason. While the idea promises to bring law enforcement closer to the people and potentially improve responsiveness, it's far from a simple solution.   This exploration delves into the complex landscape of Nigerian security. We examine the potential benefits, such as increased local accountability and tailored crime prevention strategies designed to tackle Nigeria's unique security challenges.   However, a critical look at the potential downsides is essential. Concerns about the abuse of power by state governors, the risk of fueling inter-state conflicts, and the financial burden on state governments are significant hurdles that need careful consideration and robust safeguards.   Understanding these risks is crucial as Nigeria navigates the path towards policing reform. The conversation requires a balanced perspective, weighing the immediate needs against the long-term implications for justice and governance.   #NigeriaPolice #StatePolice #SecurityReform

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00:00The Senate of Nigeria has just passed a bill allowing for the establishment of state police.

00:06This is very, very interesting. It's a bit late, really, but not too late.

00:12The central policing as we have it presently under the Constitution

00:16has proven not to be very effective in tackling crime across Nigeria,

00:21particularly current crimes like terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and all that.

00:29The issue that can really help Nigeria now is the state police.

00:33And it's heartening that the government through the National Assembly is coming to terms with that.

00:39I also know that the presidency has submitted a bill to complement what the House of Reps have passed

00:46and what the Senate has just passed towards the establishment of state police.

00:50However, Nigeria should not expect a dramatic change.

00:54There are still a lot of issues.

00:55Don't forget that there are fears that the state police may be abused by governors.

01:00But then we have to get over that fear because we need to make the police work.

01:05And the central policing that we have now is not working.

01:09Secondly, it's not every state that may immediately or even in the long run buy into state police.

01:15It's also happening that the federal police is not being cancelled.

01:19Rather, it's going to complement.

01:21We don't expect the state police to solve all the problems immediately.

01:26But there will be a timeline.

01:27And I believe that the proper commitment of the state governors and proper equipment through technology

01:34and the order necessary to state police can work.

01:37We need state police.

01:39We have tried many things.

01:40We have pumped a lot of money into the central police.

01:43We have changed IGs one after the other.

01:46The results we are having are still the same.

01:48And people have said that we cannot continue to do the same thing all over and expect a different result.

01:52For us to get a different result, we need to have a different structure.

01:55And I think that state police is the answer for now.

01:59For us to get a different structure, we need to have a different structure.

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