Stakeholders in Kogi, Niger and Nasarawa states have expressed divergent views on the proposed creation of State Police in Nigeria, citing improved security on one hand and fears of political abuse on the other.
A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) survey across the three states revealed mixed reactions, with proponents arguing that state policing would enhance intelligence gathering and response time, while critics warned it could be hijacked by state governors, similar to State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs).
In Kogi, the State Security Adviser, Retired Cmdr. Jerry Omodara, said the government supported the establishment of state police but cautioned against hasty implementation.
Omodara stressed the need for a solid legal, operational and community framework to prevent politicisation and abuse.
“Kogi Government is very much in support of the establishment of state police, but we advocate a well-structured rollout, backed by thorough National Assembly debate, standardised training and checks and balances,” he said.
He recommended international study tours, clear career progression, job security and retirement benefits, as well as strong community ownership of security.
“When people take ownership of security, intelligence flows and insecurity can be reduced,” Omodara said.
Similarly, the Kogi Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr Olumide Aletan, described state police as a means of decongesting and complementing the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
Aletan, however, stressed the need for clear operational boundaries to prevent political interference.
“State police should focus on local crimes, while federal police handle national security and interstate offences. Government must ensure politicians do not hijack the outfit,” he said.
Mr Simeon Opaluwa, a Criminologist and Security Analyst, said the benefits of state police outweighed its risks, noting that community-based intelligence would thrive under such a system.
Opaluwa, who is also Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Kogi, said state-level policing already existed informally through outfits such as Amotekun, Hisbah, and vigilante groups.
“State police will expand coverage, create jobs and enhance intelligence sharing, especially in rural areas,” he said,
He added that Nigeria fell short of the United Nations standard of one police officer to 400 citizens.
However, Dr Ibrahim Naziru, the Head of the Political Science Department, Kogi State University, Kabba, expressed doubts about its effectiveness, citing ethnic diversity and terrain challenges.
He argued that community neighbourhood policing would be more effective than state police, which he said could be abused by governors.
“I don’t think state police will work as expected. Community-based policing offers better familiarity with the terrain and people,” Naziru said.
Also expressing concern, Mr Hamza Aliyu, the Chairperson of the Kogi NGO Network (KONGONET), said any future state police must prioritise transparency and community participation to avoid politicisation.
Aliyu proposed the establishment of Community Policing and Accountability Committees at state, local government and ward levels.
In Niger State, Prof. Mohammed Kuta-Yahaya, the Pro-Chancellor of Abdulkadir Kure University, Minna, described state police as a welcome development, arguing that security was a constitutional responsibility of all levels of government.
He said that the current police strength was grossly inadequate for Nigeria’s population, especially in rural areas.
“It is time states responsibly share in securing lives and property, but with laws that ensure loyalty to the state and not individuals,” he said.
Dr Abdullahi Jabi, a public commentator and security expert, also supported the initiative, saying it would complement existing security agencies and create employment opportunities.
Jabi, however, emphasised that strong legal frameworks and stakeholder input were necessary to prevent abuse.
In Nasarawa State, residents also expressed mixed feelings, with Mr Attah John and Mr Ezekiel Baba, both lecturers at Isah Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic Lafia and Nasarawa State Collage of Agriculture Science and Technology Lafia, supporting the initiative and cited improved intelligence and crime reduction.
Others, however, raised concerns about funding and political misuse.
Mr Akolo Ovey, a legal practitioner, warned that many states struggled to pay salaries and might find it difficult to fund state police outfits.
Similarly, Mrs Zainab Mohammed, businesswoman, said safeguards must be put in place to curb abuse and corruption, suggesting federal oversight in training.
Meanwhile, Malam Usman Baba, the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Security and Sundry Matters, said that the state government was willing to establish state police if enabling laws were enacted.
