State Police not magic solution to insecurity —  Security analyst, Ex-JTF Commander

Former JTF Commander, Dr. Isma’il Tanko Wudilawa, has said that the creation of state police in Nigeria may come with more questions than solutions.

Speaking with DAILY POST, the retired Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) personnel noted that the state police bill has been dangling in Nigeria since the 1990s.

He added that the bill never passed due to many challenges, adding, however, that there are many advantages to its creation.

According to him, “What would happen to the Federal Police? Would every officer be returned to their states, or would they work together? There would be a clash of interests.”

He, however, said that a well-managed state police would play a significant role in crime detection.

“It (state police) would facilitate intelligence gathering because they are in the state. If something happens, it would be known easily, unlike the Federal Police, which has too much bureaucracy.”

He, however, pointed out that there are many challenges and lapses.

“If the states cannot pay salaries, there could be a problem.

“Also, if the officers are not properly checked, there would be problems, especially if politics plays a role.”

The retired NIS officer added that there are fears of increased corruption and impunity, adding that:

“Even a drug dealer who knows a politician can hold a position, opening ways to rising crime.”

Dr. Wudilawa said traditional leaders must be part of the system and avoid the politicisation of the whole process for the policy to protect lives and property.

He said, “Both the ward heads, imams, pastors, and community elders ought to be fully engaged in recruiting state police.”

He advised the government to avoid politicising the whole system, adding that the passage of the bill is just the beginning and that more work needs to be done.

Also speaking to DAILY POST, Rtd. Capt. Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu, a retired military officer and security analyst, noted that the debate over the State Police Bill should not be about whether Nigeria needs state police, but whether the country has put in place adequate constitutional and institutional safeguards to prevent abuse.

“As a retired military officer and security analyst, I acknowledge that Nigeria’s centralized policing system has faced enormous challenges in tackling insecurity, particularly banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and communal conflicts,” he added.

He added that, “Decentralizing policing has the potential to improve intelligence gathering, rapid response, and community-based security.”

He, however, said that the concerns expressed by many Nigerians are valid.

The retired military officer said there are genuine fears that state police could be misused by political office holders to intimidate opponents, suppress dissent, or interfere with democratic processes if strong checks and balances are not established.

“In my view, state police is neither a magic solution nor an automatic threat. Its success will depend entirely on how it is implemented.

“There must be independent oversight, professional recruitment based on merit, adequate training, strict adherence to human rights standards, sustainable funding, and robust accountability mechanisms to prevent political interference,” he added.

Bakoji added that security should be brought closer to the people, but policing must always remain under the rule of law.

“If the necessary safeguards are built into the system and faithfully implemented, state police can significantly strengthen Nigeria’s internal security architecture. If not, it risks creating new security and governance challenges.

“The focus, therefore, should not simply be on creating state police, but on ensuring that Nigeria builds a professional, accountable, and people-centred policing system that serves all citizens without fear or favour,” he said.