Experts Urge State Police Reform to Tackle Nigeria’s Rising Insecurity

Security experts, legal practitioners, and senior police officers have called for urgent constitutional reforms to allow the creation of state police in Nigeria.

The call comes as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence spread beyond Northern Nigeria into the South, affecting families, businesses, and communities.

At a one-day roundtable on state policing at the University of Ibadan, participants examined strategies for implementing state police to improve local security and law enforcement.

Professor Benjamin Aluko said state policing could protect citizens more effectively if designed carefully to respect democracy and human rights.

He explained that poorly executed state police could worsen insecurity instead of solving it, so practical implementation plans are crucial.

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Dr Adesina Fagbenro-Byron noted that violent crimes are no longer confined to one region and described state police as a national necessity to safeguard lives and property.

He criticized a proposed five-year rollout, calling for a 12-month plan that includes legal reforms, training, and pilot programs in prepared states.

Fagbenro-Byron stressed that state police must remain non-partisan, with merit-based recruitment, technology-driven operations, and independent oversight to prevent political misuse.

Barrister Mutalubi Adebayo, SAN, recalled that Nigeria previously operated native and border policing systems, which helped maintain local order before they were scrapped.

He said constitutional amendments are essential for state police to function effectively and complement the federal police system.

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Former Lagos State Police Commissioner CP Fatai Owoseni said operational decisions are already partly local, but better funding and clear guidelines are needed to improve policing outcomes.

Owoseni highlighted that ethnic distrust and political interference often weaken law enforcement, and that community policing models could help fill gaps.

Professor I.O. Albert said police officers are often victims of systemic failures and need public support to perform effectively.

Assistant Inspector-General of Police Adeoye Olafimihan urged citizens to collaborate with law enforcement to strengthen security in neighborhoods and reduce crime.

“Police are the people, and the people are the police. Active community engagement can save lives and make communities safer,” he said.

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Experts concluded that state police, properly structured and legally supported, could provide faster response times, protect vulnerable communities, and restore confidence in law enforcement across Nigeria.

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