Nigeria Debates State Police Establishment: Former President Jonathan, Gen Abdulsalami, and Others Back Proposal Amidst Controversy

The issue of state police establishment in Nigeria has sparked a heated debate among prominent leaders and security officials.

A national dialogue on the subject, attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, former President Goodluck Jonathan, and elder statesman Abdulsalami Abubakar, among other dignitaries, took place on April 22, 2024, to discuss the potential benefits and challenges of introducing state police in Nigeria.

Former President Jonathan, who chaired the occasion, emphasized that the issue is not whether to establish state police, but rather how it should be operated.

He highlighted that the Nigeria Customs Service and other agencies at the border are not trained to deal with criminal gangs and advised the government to concentrate on managing state police in a way that it would not be hijacked by the political class.

General Abdulsalami Abubakar stressed the importance of governors being transparent, responsible, honest, and ensuring that citizens can go about their normal business in an orderly environment.

He also suggested engaging the traditional institution and royal fathers in maintaining peace and order in their respective domains.

Emphasizing the urgency of the matter, the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, urged the National Assembly to swing into action toward the implementation of state police.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has warned that as a country, we must build a security architecture that is robust, transparent, and accountable.

On the other hand, the Inspector General of Police, represented by Ben Okolo, an Assistant Inspector-General of police, disagreed with the idea of state police.

He argued that Nigeria is not ready for a decentralised police force, citing challenges such as inadequate manpower, inadequate operational equipment, and the potential for abuse of power by state governors.

President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, acknowledged the complex security issues confronting Nigeria and the administration’s commitment to reform the police force and enhance security at both the national and state levels.

The dialogue highlighted the need for Nigeria to address the challenges of its current security system and find effective solutions to tackle rising insecurity in the country.

The participants agreed on the importance of finding a way to establish state police that will improve response times to emergencies, adapt to specific local challenges, and increase accountability while safeguarding civil liberties.

The debate on state police in Nigeria comes at a time when the nation is grappling with various security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, and communal conflicts.

The establishment of state police is seen by some as a potential solution to these issues, as it would allow for more localized and responsive policing.

As Nigeria continues to engage in a national conversation on the establishment of state police, it remains to be seen whether the country will move forward with the creation of state police forces, and what implications this will have for the future of security and governance in Nigeria.