A CASE FOR STATE POLICE

Governor Uba Sani stakes claim for state police, writes ANTHONY ODION EHIMEN

In recent years, Nigeria has faced significant security challenges with escalating incidents of crime, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping for ransom and social unrest impacting the lives of citizens. In response to this growing insecurity, the call for the establishment of State Police has gained traction, especially amongst regional leaders. 

One of such leaders, whose voice has been consistent and convincing is Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani. During an appearance last week on a popular national television programme, Politics Today, Governor Sani, for the umpteenth time, declared that “State Police is a necessity.” What this means in a nutshell is that the hitherto unified or centralized federal policing method has shown several limitations in effectively addressing local security challenges that have now become existential threats. His views are that State Police in Nigeria today has become a necessity given the many drawbacks of central policing. The kernel of his argument is that if creating a secured and safer environment for citizens to enable them live in peace, pursue their daily means of livelihood, free from the scepter of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other social vices is the goal, then state police is the panacea.

Insecurity in Nigeria’s landscape has become alarmingly complex, characterized by Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast, banditry in the northwest, herder-farmer’s clashes in the middle-belt, and kidnapping for ransom plaguing almost every state. The inadequacy of the conventional Nigeria Police Force, which operates under a centralized system, has left many states vulnerable to crime and violence. This reality has led inexorably to the calls for a more locally controlled security apparatus capable of responding quickly and effectively to the unique needs of their communities in real-time.

Governor Sani’s crusade for state police started way back when he was in the ninth Senate. In his inaugural address to the people of Kaduna State during his swearing-in ceremony on May 29, 2023, Governor Sani stated, “I was in the forefront of advocacy for State Police in the ninth Senate. I strongly believe that State Police is the panacea for our perennial security challenges. Security is basically a local affair and it demands for a local approach.” 

Again, speaking in March this year following the abduction of over 280 students in the Kuriga area of the state and another set of 87 persons in Kajuru Local Government Area, Uba Sani reiterated his call for state police, insisting that vigilantes are ill-equipped to face bandits who carry sophisticated weapons. His words: “Vigilante service cannot hold anything more than pump actions, and these bandits, they come around with AK-47s and even more sophisticated weapons. That is where we are.

“And in any case, that is the reason why some of us are insisting that we need to create state police. When you create state police, you will give the state police the legal authority through our constitution to hold firearms, including AK-47s. Then those communities can defend themselves.

“But until this moment, the vigilante service can only work with the military. They can only work with the police and all the relevant security agencies to help them with intelligence.”

Centralized policing in Nigeria, primarily governed by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), has displayed several drawbacks that hinder its operational efficacy. These include but not limited to:

Lack of local knowledge – centralized policing lacks the granular understanding of local contexts and dynamics. Policemen, especially those deployed from distant regions, may not fully comprehend the social, economic, and political intricacies of particular areas.

Slow response times – in times of crisis, such as a robbery or kidnapping, the slower response times resulting from bureaucratic delays can lead to escalation of violence. Local communities often find themselves in peril while waiting for a centralized force to assist.

Limited resources – central policing often operates with insufficient resources spread too thinly across a large geography. This scarcity leads to inadequate manpower, equipment, and funding to tackle rising crime rates effectively.

Corruption and mismanagement – a top-down approach to policing can cultivate a culture of corruption and mismanagement. Funds may be misallocated, and accountability decreases with distance from the state’s capital, resulting in diminished trust between communities and law enforcement.

Political interference – central policing can be susceptible to political manipulation, where law enforcement agencies may act in accordance with the whims of political leaders, compromising their impartiality and effectiveness. A sordid example is what played out last week during the gubernatorial election in Edo State where an Assistant Inspector General (AIG) reportedly ordered constables to walk out a sitting governor of a state who the Constitution calls the Chief Security Officer of the State. 

Without a doubt, state police has become a necessity because they will be able to respond more effectively to the nuances of regional security issues. Take for instance local knowledge and intelligence. State police would be more attuned to the cultures, practices, and peculiarities of their communities. This local knowledge is crucial for building trust and gathering intelligence that can prevent crime.

Secondly, the need for an enhanced response capability. With officers stationed in localities, response times to emergencies would be considerably faster. Communities would have direct access to their local law enforcement, enhancing their sense of security.

Then the crucial issue of allocation of resources – State Police can focus resources and attention on the specific needs and challenges within the state, instead of being spread thin across disparate regions. This can lead to more strategic and effective policing.

The above, naturally will come with increased accountability as they would typically be closer to the populace they serve, State Police could be held more accountable by local communities. This would foster a more cooperative relationship between the community and law enforcement.

What is more, combating insecurity demands local approaches. Different states in Nigeria experience unique security challenges. A localized police force is better positioned to address specific issues, whether it’s tackling rural banditry in the Northwest or addressing communal clashes in the middle belt.

The position of Gov Uba Sani regarding the establishment of State Police in Nigeria is rooted in the pressing need for more localized and responsive security solutions. As insecurity continues to loom large over Nigeria, the move toward state policing appears not only logical but necessary. By leveraging local knowledge, enhancing responsiveness, and instilling greater accountability, a state policing system could significantly contribute to improving security outcomes in Nigeria. Given the backdrop of systemic failure evident in central policing, the time has come for Nigeria to revolutionize its approach to law enforcement and safeguard the welfare of its citizens through empowered state-level police forces.

 Ehimen, a security and public affairs analyst, writes from Abuja