March 02, (THEWILL) — President Bola Tinubu finally picked up the gauntlet last Wednesday and directed the National Assembly to amend the 1999 Constitution to accommodate the establishment of State Police – a decentralised police force that can exist alongside the Federal Police.
Of course, State Police has long been awaited as a remedy for the worsening insecurity in the country. Overwhelmed by endless terrorist attacks, killings and kidnapping for ransom, Nigerians have repeatedly clamoured for the introduction of State Police.
It seems that they won’t have to wait for too long. The National Assembly has promised to deliver State Police before the end of 2026. A few years ago, the legislature was not this confident, opposed by northern governors and politicians who had been somewhat ill-disposed to State Police. All the flowery talk about the advantages of State Police at the time was shot down for reasons best known to them, even as insecurity worsened.
This time around as the lawmakers, particularly members of the House of Representatives, dive straight into the unfolding task, it is unlikely that the President’s directive will be opposed. The basis for opposing the subject practically does not exist any longer. People are being killed, kidnapped and displaced from their homes all the time and communities are being sacked. Even sacred institutions are being attacked and defiled.
The difference between State Police and Federal Police is that the former operates under the authority of the respective state governments and that they are empowered to enforce laws, prevent crime, investigate offences and maintain order.
However, despite the much-vaunted advantages of having State Police, there are challenges that will require checks and balances to be built into the system. Most common is the fear that state governors could use State Police to intimidate political opponents and to harass citizens.
Establishing and maintaining State Police Forces could be quite expensive for some state governments. As a result, not all of 36 states may be able to afford it.
Also, there is a potential for inter-agency rivalry, conflict and lack of cooperation between State Police Forces and Federal Police.
The Federal Government will need to take one more step after the National Assembly accomplishes its task: Convince those still opposed to State Police to have a change of attitude, provided that there are adequate safeguards in place.
