Nigerian Police Chief Opposes State Police Amid Rising Insecurity

On April 24, 2024, Nigerian Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun voiced his opposition to the establishment of state police at the National Dialogue on State Policing in Abuja. Egbetokun, represented by Assistant Inspector General of Police Ben Okolo, argued that Nigeria is not yet ready for a decentralized police force, citing concerns about potential abuse of power and increased ethnic tensions.

The Inspector-General's stance comes despite growing support for state police from 20 out of Nigeria's 36 state governors. These governors, along with security experts, have stressed the pressing need to combat rising criminality in the country. In a troubling statistic, 5,135 people have been killed in the first seven months of President Bola Tinubu's tenure, highlighting the severity of the security challenges facing Nigeria.

Supporters of state police, such as former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, argue that the current centralized policing system is a major factor contributing to insecurity. They believe that a decentralized approach, with proper legal safeguards, can address the country's diverse security needs more effectively. President Tinubu himself has expressed unambiguous support for state police.

Why this matters: The debate over state police in Nigeria has far-reaching implications for the country's security landscape and the lives of its citizens. As the nation confronts escalating violence and crime, finding an effective policing model is vital to restoring peace and stability.

However, Egbetokun and other opponents of state police warn of potential pitfalls, such as the risk of state governors abusing their power and exacerbating ethnic divisions. The Inspector-General suggested alternative measures to improve policing, including merging the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Road Safety Commission into the Nigeria Police Force, increasing police recruitment, and boosting budgetary allocations.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar, who participated in the dialogue, acknowledged the challenges associated with implementing state police but emphasized the need for a solution. "There is no way internal security can be managed in Nigeria without states having their own police," Jonathan stated, while Abubakar advised that traditional institutions and royal fathers should be given roles in maintaining peace and order.

Key Takeaways

• Nigerian police chief opposes state police, citing abuse of power and ethnic tensions
• 20 state governors support state police to combat rising crime, with 5,135 killed in 7 months
• Supporters argue decentralized policing can address diverse security needs more effectively
• Opponents warn of state governors abusing power, suggest alternative police reforms
• Debate continues as Nigeria faces mounting pressure to address its security crisis