The debate over the proposed establishment of state police in Nigeria has continued to gain momentum following the passage of a constitutional amendment bill by the House of Representatives, with experts warning that its success will depend largely on safeguards against political interference.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST, security expert, Captain Abdullahi Bakoji (rtd), agreed that the initiative could significantly improve security by bringing policing closer to the communities where crimes occur.
“State police will help in bringing security closer to the people because indigenes are always much more familiar with the terrain, the culture, attitude and behaviours of their people, so it will help in rapid response and combating crimes,” he said.
However, Bakoji warned that without strict safeguards, the system could be vulnerable to abuse by political office holders, particularly state governors.
“This could be done through using the force to suppress gatherings and campaigns of the opposition and also arrest citizens that oppose government’s policies or agendas,” he cautioned.
He further noted that differences in state revenue could create inequalities in policing standards across the country.
“There is also a diversity in the monetary capacity of different states. States with higher income generation mechanisms will be able to sustain the force adequately to function as it should, while other poorer states will face challenges in recruitment and training of officers as well as providing relevant equipment,” he said.
Bakoji stressed that the foundation of any state police system must ensure loyalty to the constitution
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