State Police: A Potential Solution to Nigeria's Insecurity Crisis?

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been actively engaged in securing the backing of the National Assembly for a constitutional amendment to introduce state police, proposing it as a remedy for the pervasive insecurity affecting governance across Nigeria. He presented this case in separate engagements with senators and members of the House of Representatives.

Following these discussions, the newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, appears to have aligned with the President's vision. His first official act was the inauguration of a seven-member steering committee tasked with developing a framework for state police. This move contrasts sharply with the stance of his predecessor, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, who was reportedly against the concept of state policing and openly presented a memo opposing it during a public hearing, a position seen as undermining the President's agenda and potentially contributing to his removal.

The committee faces a challenging mandate, given that previous attempts to establish state police have stalled. During the 8th National Assembly in 2018, discussions around state police reached a fever pitch, creating an expectation that it would finally be implemented. The media and legislative chambers were abuzz with debates on the necessity of this reform.

That period, 2018, was marked by a significant deterioration in national security. The resurgence of Boko Haram activities, notable attacks on soldiers along the Jakana-Maiduguri axis, increased banditry on the Abuja-Kaduna highway, and escalating communal clashes in Plateau State fueled the arguments of state police proponents. They contended that the current federal police structure was inadequate to ensure the safety of citizens and their property.

Advocates for state police envision a force with a strong local presence, comprised of officers familiar with their operational areas, and operating under state legislative oversight. However, these efforts did not yield the desired outcome. The state police bill failed to progress, largely due to significant concerns raised by opponents. They highlighted the Nigerian Police Force's chronic understaffing, the diversion of resources to other agencies, and persistent underfunding and outdated equipment, making it difficult to combat modern security threats.

Critics argue that empowering state governments with their own police forces would worsen existing problems, as many states might lack the financial capacity to manage such entities. Furthermore, there are fears that state governors could exploit these forces for political gain, drawing parallels with the controversial conduct of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) in local government elections. Concerns were also raised about the potential for governors to use state police against political adversaries, reminiscent of tactics employed during the First Republic.

Questions also arise about the potential for governors to populate state police units with individuals from their own ethnic, religious, or political affiliations, especially given recent tendencies by both the current and former administrations to disregard federal character in staffing critical security institutions. This makes it difficult for the President to effectively discipline any governor who might misuse state police powers.

The seven-member committee is therefore tasked with thoroughly considering these concerns to produce a well-rounded report for the IGP.