Still On State Police

By Dakuku Peterside, PhD.

When a policy fails to factor in public response to its benefits and drawbacks, success takes the backseat. Ignoring public behaviour often results in poor implementation and unintend­ed consequences. In Nigeria, a nation grappling with complex and diverse security challenges, the limitations of centralised policing have become glar­ingly evident. Rising crime rates, from terrorism and banditry to cybercrime and kidnapping, expose the inadequa­cies of the current federal system. The call for state police is not just a matter of political discourse; it is a necessary step toward securing the lives and property of Nigerians. This proposal has gained unprecedented traction across regional and political divides, signalling that the time is ripe for this crucial reform. The urgency of decentralising policing by introducing state police could provide the much-needed local focus to counter insecurity while fostering accountabil­ity and community trust. This vision aligns with global best practices and offers hope for a safer and more pros­perous Nigeria, where localised and specialised law enforcement can ef­fectively address the diverse security needs of the population.

Throughout history, nations have recognised the need for adaptable and localised law enforcement structures. In the early 20th century, the United States established state police forces to address rising crime and extend law enforcement beyond the capabilities of local authorities. The Pennsylvania State Police, formed in 1905, became the first uniformed state law enforcement agency in the U.S., designed to handle challenges that local sheriffs and mu­nicipal officers could not adequately address. This included labour unrest in coal mines and maintaining order in rural areas without sufficient local law enforcement. Over time, state police forces such as the Texas Rangers and California Highway Patrol expanded their scope, dealing with issues from highway safety to organised crime. These forces were pivotal in ensuring law enforcement matched the complex­ities of an industrialising and urbanis­ing society.

The U.S. experience provides a critical lesson for Nigeria: decentral­isation enhances law enforcement’s ability to respond to local needs. For instance, during the Prohibition era, state police units were instrumental in curbing illicit alcohol trade in their jurisdictions, a task federal authorities alone needed help to handle effectively. Similarly, the adaptability of state po­lice allowed them to pioneer specialised units, such as cybercrime task forces in recent decades, which have become crucial in tackling modern criminal ac­tivities. Nigeria’s security challenges, including insurgencies in the North and urban crimes in Lagos and Abu­ja, could greatly benefit from similar localised and specialised approaches. For instance, a state police unit in Lagos could prioritise urban crimes such as theft and traffic-related offences, while a unit in Borno might focus on counter­terrorism efforts against Boko Haram insurgents. This targeted approach could lead to more effective solutions than a one-size-fits-all federal system.

Globally, decentralised policing sys­tems offer valuable lessons. Countries like Canada, India, and South Africa demonstrate how local accountability and responsiveness enhance securi­ty. Canada’s provincial police forces work collaboratively with municipal and federal agencies to address diverse security needs. In India, state police forces are indispensable in combating localised crimes and maintaining law and order, especially in states with unique cultural and geographical contexts. For example, Maharashtra’s state police in India have implemented technology-driven initiatives to combat cybercrime, which would be impossi­ble under a rigid centralised system. These systems are bolstered by robust oversight mechanisms to prevent misuse, ensuring their effectiveness and integrity. Nigeria can draw inspi­ration from these examples, adapting these practices to suit its unique chal­lenges. This global perspective further strengthens the argument for the state police proposal in Nigeria.

The current structure of Nigeria’s federal police reveals its limitations. With approximately 370,000 officers, the police-citizen ratio is about 1:650, significantly higher than the UN-rec­ommended ratio of 1:450. This shortfall is glaring in a nation of over 220 million people, where security challenges vary dramatically across geopolitical zones. The Inspector-General of Police has highlighted the need for an additional 190,000 personnel, yet estimates suggest that Nigeria requires up to 2.5 million officers for effective policing. Over the past decade, crime rates have surged by over 30%, with kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, and cybercrime becoming increasingly sophisticated and preva­lent. In 2022 alone, there were over 3,500 reported kidnapping incidents nation­wide, underlining the urgent need for localised and agile policing responses. The introduction of state police could help address this issue by allowing for a more targeted allocation of resources based on regional security needs, po­tentially improving the police-citizen ratio and overall security.

Support for state police has grown significantly among policymakers, security experts, and civil society groups. A growing consensus is that decentralising policing would empow­er local authorities and enhance oper­ational efficiency. Even state governors from historically divided northern and southern regions have united in supporting state police. One signifi­cant highlight of the 147th National Economic Council(NEC) is a new consensus by all state governments on establishing state police. However, this initiative requires a more robust but speedy engagement to align it with the local cultural context, ensuring that it is appreciated and supported by the citizens it aims to serve. Citizen engagement is not just a formality, but a crucial step to ensure public under­standing and support for the state po­lice proposal.

Building trust between state police and local communities is a crucial ad­vantage of this reform. Effective local policing initiatives can foster relation­ships that build trust and cooperation, especially in Nigeria, where the trust deficit is high. Trust is an essential component of crime fighting. Inno­vative local community-police liaison arrangements and other communi­ty-focused programs can strengthen these ties, creating an environment of mutual respect and collaboration. When police officers understand their communities’ cultural and societal dynamics, they are better equipped to address security challenges and main­tain peace. The active participation and trust of the Nigerian public in this re­form process are crucial for its success.

Concerns about the potential mis­use of state police for political purposes are valid but can be systematically ad­dressed. Abuse of State Independent Electoral Commissions ( SIEC) by state governors is often cited. This is another reason why extensive and targeted cit­izen engagement is key before putting the law in place. Safeguards must be designed and implemented to prevent governors from exploiting state police for political and electoral manipula­tion purposes, personal gain, or to feed their authoritarian appetite. Laws prohibiting state police involvement in electoral matters and empowering oversight bodies can ensure neutral­ity. Clear delineation of the roles and responsibilities of state and federal police will also be essential to avoid jurisdictional conflicts. Establishing a framework for collaboration and information-sharing between the two levels of law enforcement will further enhance effectiveness. However, these measures will require careful planning and execution to ensure their efficacy and address potential challenges such as resistance to change and extensive training and capacity building.

Independent regulatory bodies are critical to ensuring accountability and preventing abuse. A State Police Secu­rity Commission (SPSC), comprising representatives from civil society, es­tablished professional bodies, legal ex­perts, and public security professionals, could oversee state police operations. Regular audits and public reporting ensure transparency. Additionally, a robust judiciary is essential to protect citizens from potential abuses. Judicial reforms that enhance the indepen­dence and efficiency of courts would be vital in supporting this transition. For instance, in Canada, provincial ombudspersons have played pivotal roles in monitoring police misconduct, providing Nigeria with a possible blue­print for ensuring accountability.

Strengthening relationships be­tween police and communities through genuine engagement and collaborative problem-solving must remain a prior­ity. Establishing community advisory boards can provide platforms for dia­logue and accountability. Actionable trust-building initiatives, such as open-door policies and periodic town hall meetings, should replace superfi­cial slogans like “Police is your friend.”

Addressing insecurity also requires holistic solutions. Investments in education, healthcare, and youth em­powerment are essential for tackling the root causes of crime. Integrating vocational training and social services into crime prevention strategies would complement policing reforms, creating a foundation for sustainable security. For example, a similar approach in In­dia’s Kerala state led to a 40% reduction in youth crime over a decade.

Introducing state police in Nigeria represents a transformative opportuni­ty to address the nation’s security crisis. While challenges are inevitable, they should not deter progress. Beginning the decentralisation process will allow for the identification and resolution of potential issues as they arise. The widespread consensus around reform­ing Nigeria’s policing architecture un­derscores the urgency of this change. With proper safeguards, political will, and public support, state police can be­come a cornerstone of a more secure, equitable, and prosperous Nigeria. A prerequisite is the government’s robust public engagement and orientation programme to get the complete buy-in of all stakeholders, including the Na­tional Assembly, the state assembly and the masses. The time to act is now, and this reform must be embraced as a step toward a brighter and safer future for all Nigerians. Establishing state police would signify a shift in policy and a bold reimagining of Nigeria’s approach to security—one that prioritises the peo­ple, respects regional diversity, and lays the foundation for sustainable peace and progress.