Insecurity: Anxiety builds up over demand for state police

•Policemen

Following the recent claim by Plateau State governor, Caleb Mutfwang, that the creation of state police would be a game-changer in the war against insurgency and other crimes, several other Nigerians have called on the National Assem­bly and the Presidency to ensure that the ongoing constitution review does not skip the oppor­tunity to enshrine multi-level policing in the constitution.

Mutfwang, it would be recalled, made the call a few days ago during a chat with members of the Nigeri­an Guild of Editors (NGE) in Jos, re­vealing that he was already taking steps to strengthen grassroots po­licing through Operation Rainbow, a community-based security outfit, reports Sunday Independent.

Muftwang’s call came amidst several terrorist and banditry at­tacks in parts of the country during which several lives were lost, even as he indicated that the attackers infiltrate from Taraba, Nasarawa, or Kaduna, strike Plateau villages, and retreat.

Insisting that police headquar­tered at Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), cannot monitor lo­cal terrains, the Plateau governor stated that his government had recruited 1,450 young op­eratives who would be trained to do the job.

It has long been established that the current centralised federal police cannot provide adequate security for the peo­ple despite the budgetary pro­visions for the Nigeria Police Force and support by some state governments.

This has led to the establish­ment of quasi security outfits by some state governments such as Amotekun in the South West, Ebubeagu, by some Eastern states, Agunechemba and Udochia by the Anambra State government, Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in the North East.

President Bola Tinubu, was recently quoted as saying that if presented with a bill for the creation of state police, he would not bat an eyelid, but would give his assent to it.

One of the problems fore­seen by critics of state police is the possibility of its misuse by state chief executives for political reasons, but as Mut­fwang assured, there could be “adequate safeguards” to pre­vent abuses.

Thus, as the National As­sembly moves towards another constitutional amendment, the issue of state police has been brought up again as criminal elements, including terror­ists, armed robbers, bandits, kidnappers, ritual killers, etc, continue to give Nigerians sleepless nights.

SECURITY ISSUES ARE LOCAL

Dr Victor Mathew, a secu­rity expert, human rights pro­moter and cleric who spoke to our correspondent on the issue, agreed with Governor Mutfwang that the time has come for the establishment of state police.

Dr Mathew stated: “I concur with the governor on the need to have State Police across the states to solve the lingering insurmountable and intracta­ble insecurity across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

“It is said in Nigeria that ev­ery election is local, I believe security issues too are local and peculiar to each state and as such should be tackled sub-nationally.

“The Nigeria state is sup­posed to be a federal system where security should be a joint responsibility of the fed­eral and state governments. It is high time this issue is addressed once and for all.

“The present security ar­chitecture so far has not been robust enough so far to address insecurity.

“Simply, if something is not working, it has to be re-evalu­ated and necessary changes made.

“In summary, so far, what we have now is not working and the idea of State Police should be put in place in order that local enforcement agen­cies at the state level be able to quickly address criminal breaches of the law.

“Opponents of State Police have very legitimate fears that it is very likely that the State Governors will definitely abuse the use of State Police to deal with political opponents and for electoral purposes.

In order to address this fear of abuse, I believe a well thought out model should be put in place by the National Assembly.

“I am a strong advocate of State Police and strongly recommend and believe its creation time has come to ad­dress the motley and myriad security challenges.”

Prof John Ebhomien, an economist and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said: “Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s call for the cre­ation of state police is a timely and welcome development.

“Given the persistent in­security plaguing states like Plateau, Benue, Niger, Borno, Katsina, Imo, Edo, Zamfara, Rivers, and Kaduna, it is imperative that the Federal Government and National Assembly prioritise the estab­lishment of state police.

“To effectively address these challenges, the Federal Government should provide special support and funding to these states.

“I urge well-meaning Nige­rians to support the govern­ment at all levels with resourc­es and assistance to combat insecurity.

“Security of lives and prop­erties is a collective responsi­bility. It behoves on us as cit­izens to provide the security agencies with vital informa­tion to nib in the bud the prob­lems of insecurity which have generated significant concerns for a very long time. This is the way to go.”

STATE POLICE BETTER THAN VIGILANTES

Barrister Emeka Iheonu, a Lagos lawyer, said: “There have been agitations from various people and politicians in Nigeria for the creation of State Police over the years.

“This led to the establish­ment of the Amotekun Secu­rity Network by most of the states in the West. I believe that creation of State Police will greatly improve the Nige­rian security architecture and drastically reduce crime rate.

“The policemen and women who will work in their various states will be more vigilant and dedicated in securing the lives and properties of their people.”

Hon. Charles C Anike, National President, Eastern Union (EU), a political pres­sure group for the people of the old Eastern Region, stat­ed: “The issue State Police has been over flogged and long overdue. Needless to continue to highlight that the present Nigeria Police Force can no longer meet the secu­rity needs of our increasing population.

“The total number of police officers in the country is far be­low the acceptable internation­al recommendation.

“Yet, in the same circum­stance, the number of officers attached to private institu­tions, individuals and VIPs makes matters worse.

“The call for the establish­ment of State Police is legit­imate and the way forward. The Plateau State governor has only lent his voice to the clarion by many Nigerians for those in authority to do the needful.

“The advantages of the cre­ation of the state police cannot be over emphasised as it will definitely compliment and boast the efforts of the conven­tional ones.

“The state police officers, if created, will be more grass­roots oriented. They will be closer to the people since their recruitment will most likely be community based.

“Citizens also enjoy their confidence and cooperation in the fight against criminality.”

Tola Oresanwo, Direc­tor (Administration and Programmes), Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), said: “I strongly agree with Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State that the creation of state police is key to ending insecu­rity in Nigeria.

“State Police is a sine qua non for effective security man­agement, especially given the alarming spate of killings, banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence across the country.

“The centralised police structure has proven inade­quate in addressing localised security challenges due largely to limited manpower, bureau­cratic bottlenecks, and lack of community familiarity.

“State-controlled polic­ing would enable quicker response, better intelligence gathering, and more account­ability, as officers would be di­rectly answerable to local au­thorities who understand the peculiar security dynamics of their areas.

“Moreover, it would foster trust between the people and law enforcement, enhancing collaboration and preventive security efforts.

“Therefore, establishing state police is not just desirable but an urgent necessity to re­store peace, protect lives, and strengthen Nigeria’s internal security architecture.”

Apostle Dr Bolaji Akinyemi, a cleric and Convener, The Apostle Roundtable (ART) stated: “Governor Caleb Mut­fwang is absolutely right. The creation of state police is vital to ending insecurity because security challenges are inher­ently local.

OVERSTRETCHED, DISCONNECT­ED POLICING

“Only officers recruited and trained within their communi­ties can truly understand the terrain, language, and culture needed for effective policing. Nigeria’s centralised police system is overstretched and often disconnected from grass­roots realities.

“State policing would en­hance intelligence gathering, ensure faster response, and promote accountability to local authorities.

“The fear of abuse by gover­nors should not deter us from doing what is right. It is an ab­erration for federating units to exist without their own polic­ing structure.

“Indeed, this conversation must trigger constitutional reforms to regulate potential abuses while strengthening Nigeria’s federalism. In truth, state police is not just desir­able — it is indispensable for peace, justice, and effective governance.”