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STATE POLICE AND SECURITY ARCHITECTURE: REALITIES AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Security remains one of the most pressing challenges in contemporary Nigeria. With rising levels of insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, herder-farmer clashes, secessionist agitations, and cult-related violence, the question of policing and security sector reform has become a national concern. Central to this debate is the call for the creation of State Police as an alternative or complement to Nigeria’s heavily centralized security architecture. To appreciate the complexity and urgency of this issue, it is essential to explore the historical development of policing in Nigeria, assess the current realities, and critically examine the prospects and challenges of state policing in the Nigerian context.
Historical Context of Policing in Nigeria
Pre-Colonial Policing Structures
Before colonialism, indigenous Nigerian societies had their own systems of maintaining law and order. These systems were largely community-based, with mechanisms adapted to suit local cultures and customs. Age-grade systems, village councils, and traditional rulers played a central role in dispute resolution and social control. These systems fostered communal responsibility for safety and justice, with a strong moral and cultural framework.
Colonial Imposition and Centralization
With the advent of British colonial rule, these indigenous systems were supplanted or subordinated to foreign structures. The earliest colonial security outfit, the Lagos Consular Guard, formed in 1861, later evolved into the Hausa Constabulary. The British created fragmented and regionally-focused police forces to serve colonial economic and administrative interests, not community security. Policing became an instrument of oppression, marked by force, coercion, and loyalty to colonial authorities rather than the people.
Post-Independence Unification
After independence in 1960, Nigeria maintained a regional policing system briefly. However, following the 1966 military coup and subsequent centralization under military rule, all regional police structures were abolished, leading to the formation of the unified Nigerian Police Force (NPF). The 1999 Constitution enshrined this federal monopoly on policing, making the NPF the only constitutionally recognized police institution in the country.
Contemporary Security Architecture in Nigeria
The Nigerian Police Force (NPF)
The NPF is the primary institution responsible for internal security, under the control of the Federal Government. The President appoints the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), who reports directly to the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Ministry of Police Affairs. The NPF has a centralized command structure, with state commissioners of police answering to the IGP rather than state governors.
Military and Paramilitary Involvement
Due to the NPF’s inadequacies, the Nigerian military, originally tasked with external defense, is increasingly involved in internal security operations across the country. Similarly, agencies such as the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) are now playing expanded roles in law enforcement, often with overlapping mandates and jurisdictional conflicts.
Challenges of Centralized Policing
Inadequate manpower: Nigeria’s police-to-citizen ratio falls far below the UN recommendation.
Poor funding and training: Most police stations lack modern equipment, forensic tools, and operational vehicles.
Slow response time: Insecurity hotspots often wait hours or days for intervention due to bureaucratic command structures.
Distrust between police and communities: Many officers are posted outside their home states, making local engagement difficult.
Political interference: State governors, though designated as “Chief Security Officers,” have little real control over police operations.
The Case for State Police in Current Realities
- Rising Insecurity
Nigeria is facing unprecedented levels of internal violence:
Terrorism and insurgency in the North East (Boko Haram/ISWAP).
Banditry and kidnapping in the North West and North Central.
Separatist violence and cultism in the South East and South South.
Urban crime and robbery in the South West.
The NPF has been overwhelmed by these complex, multi-regional threats, further highlighting the need for localized policing solutions.
- Emergence of Regional Security Outfits
Amotekun Corps (South-West): Formed in response to increasing kidnappings and killings in Yoruba-speaking states.
Ebube Agu (South-East): Aimed at checking attacks linked to secessionist groups.
Hisbah (North): Enforces Sharia compliance and moral policing in Northern states. These outfits reflect a growing consensus that federal policing alone cannot meet Nigeria’s diverse security needs.
- Constitutional and Political Momentum
There is renewed legislative interest in amending the 1999 Constitution to allow states to establish their own police forces. Some states, particularly in the South, are vocally championing this reform. The National Assembly has debated multiple bills related to this issue, reflecting a gradual shift from ideological resistance to pragmatic necessity.
Concerns and Challenges of State Police
While state policing appears to offer solutions, it raises legitimate concerns:
- Political Manipulation
State governors may use state police to harass opposition, stifle dissent, or influence elections.
Past misuse of State Security Services and “task forces” at state levels fuels these fears.
- Ethnic and Religious Bias
Nigeria’s ethno-religious diversity means state police forces could be weaponized against minorities in some states.
Risks of ethnic militias or parallel armed groups operating under state police guise.
- Resource Constraints
Many states already struggle with paying salaries and funding infrastructure.
A poorly funded state police could be more vulnerable to corruption and abuse.
- Coordination and Oversight
Jurisdictional conflicts between state and federal forces could arise.
There is a need for clear command hierarchies, conflict-resolution mechanisms, and integrated intelligence sharing.
The Way Forward: Recommendations
To implement an effective, accountable, and fair state police system, Nigeria must:
- Amend the Constitution
Grant states legal authority to establish and maintain police forces.
Clearly define responsibilities, powers, and jurisdiction of both federal and state police.
- Establish Oversight Mechanisms
Create independent State Police Commissions with civilian representation.
Ensure oversight by state legislatures and human rights bodies.
- Professional Training and Accreditation
All police officers (federal or state) should undergo training at nationally accredited institutions to maintain standards.
- Cooperative Federalism
Design a framework for cooperation between federal and state forces.
Develop a shared crime database, joint task forces, and integrated command centers.
- Gradual Implementation
Pilot state police in a few willing and capable states.
Evaluate performance, gather data, and refine the model before nationwide rollout.
Conclusion
Nigeria’s security challenges are too diverse, complex, and localized for a one-size-fits-all, centralized policing model. While state police is not a silver bullet, it represents a necessary evolution of Nigeria’s security architecture to reflect its federal structure, ethno-cultural diversity, and present-day realities. With appropriate legal safeguards, institutional reforms, and political will, state policing can strengthen internal security, restore public confidence, and support national stability.
