Retired CP Adeoye: Nigeria Police Grossly Understaffed, Underfunded

•Advocates death penalty for kidnapping

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Retired Commissioner of Police Aderemi Adeoye has highlighted what he called a severe understaffing and underfunding of the Nigeria Police, warning that the challenges leave large segments of the population unprotected.

Adeoye, who spoke on Arise News Television on Monday, also recommended the death penalty for kidnappers.

He said, “The Nigeria Police Force is grossly understaffed and underfunded. You have a country of 240 million people and a police force of just 300,000. From that statistic alone, you know a lot of areas will be uncovered, and a huge segment of the population will be unpoliced.”

Adeoye stressed that effective policing required not just manpower but also adequate logistics and funding.

He stated that while President Bola Tinubu had approved the rapid recruitment of officers to strengthen the force, recruitment alone was not enough.

Proper training, better equipment, and the deployment of modern technology are crucial for improving police performance, he stated.

According to the former Anambra State Commissioner of Police, “We need to start looking at practical ways. Mr. President has done something in that regard by giving approval for the rapid recruitment of personnel to beef up the strength of the force.

“I hope that is followed by better equipment and funding so that the spread can be better, the training more qualitative, and equipment enables them to do more than they do currently.

“Technology is available to enhance performance. If all these are deployed, I assure you performance will be much better. But coming to the present, we are in agreement that a lot more needs to be done to enhance safety of life and property across the nation.”

Adeoye also addressed the growing menace of kidnapping across Nigeria, arguing that stronger deterrents were needed.

He recalled warning that what began as targeted attacks on expatriates in the Niger Delta would eventually spiral into a widespread problem affecting locals.

He stated, “Kidnapping is a menace in many jurisdictions, not just in Edo State and not just this occurrence. It’s happening in many states across the country.

“When kidnapping started in the Niger Delta way back, when expatriates were the target for ransom, I warned. I said this thing that is starting and it’s against expatriates and the locals are clapping, eventually, it will become a problem of the locals.

“We are there now. Kidnapping has become a lucrative business. Deliberate actions need to be taken to stem the tide.”

Adeoye said, “If death penalty is the punishment for armed robbery, taking somebody’s property by force, I see no reason why kidnapping of a human being should attract less a penalty.

“So even though the world is running away from death penalty and we are heading away from it, we have a peculiar problem. And only a strong deterrence can stem the tide.

“I advocate the death penalty for kidnappers so that a strong warning will be sent to all that it is not just business, it is a deadly business. I also advocate that better synergy, communication, information, and intelligence sharing be promoted among various agencies.”

His remarks came amid growing concerns over security failures in Edo State, where 16 travellers were killed in Uromi, Esan North-east Local Government Area.

The Edo State government has since suspended the commander of its security outfit, retired CP Friday Ibadin, following preliminary investigations into the extrajudicial killings.

Authorities have also banned all unauthorised vigilante groups, revealing that the suspects involved were neither registered nor profiled with the state’s official security corps.

Adeoye expressed concern that the incident occurred without intervention from any security agency. He urged the police leadership in Edo State to reassess their strategies and ensure better protection for residents.

“This is not a favour; it is a duty,” he said, adding that he expects swift action from the Inspector General of Police to address the failures.