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 UGAMATV, 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 who oppose the 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 rather than individuals.

 

“I believe before this initiative is implemented, there must be proper structure and provisions in place to ensure the loyalty of the state police is to the rule of law, not to a person or party,” he said.

 

He concluded that while the idea has merit, the key challenge remains preventing political capture of security institutions.

 

“Ultimately, I believe state police could be beneficial in curtailing security challenges in this country, but the issue lies in protecting the institution from being politicised,” he added.

 

Political analyst and Vice-President of the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), Professor Murtala Muhammad, said the prospects for the passage of the bill are strong.

 

He attributed this to rising insecurity, overstretching of the federal police, and growing calls for decentralised security management.

 

“The prospects for the passage of the State Police Bill are stronger today than at any time since Nigeria’s return to democratic governance in 1999,” Muhammad said.

 

He noted that comparative federal systems show decentralised policing can work when properly regulated.

 

“Comparative experiences from federal systems such as the United States, Canada, India, and Germany demonstrate that decentralised policing can effectively coexist with national security objectives when supported by strong institutional safeguards and accountability mechanisms,” he said.

 

Muhammad also said state legislatures are likely to support the reform due to governors’ longstanding demand for greater control over security.

 

However, he warned that political and financial concerns could complicate implementation.

 

“Concerns regarding funding, operational sustainability, and the potential politicisation of policing could generate resistance in some states,” he said.

 

On the timing of the reform, he cautioned that political positioning ahead of elections could influence public perception.

 

“Critics may fear that state police could be deployed to advance partisan interests,” Muhammad noted.

 

He also raised concerns about the proposal for governors to appoint state commissioners of police, warning that it could deepen patronage risks.

 

“On the other hand, Nigeria’s history of patronage politics raises concerns that policing could become vulnerable to political manipulation,” he said.

 

Muhammad emphasised that the success of the reform will depend on strong institutional safeguards.

 

“Consequently, the success of state police will depend not merely on constitutional approval but on the establishment of robust safeguards, including independent oversight bodies, legislative scrutiny, judicial checks, secure tenure for police leadership and clear national standards to ensure professionalism, neutrality and public trust,”  He added.