By Monsurat Abisoye
The ongoing debate on the creation of state police in Nigeria has intensified after the House of Representatives passed a constitutional amendment bill, with security experts warning that its success will depend on strong safeguards against political interference.
Speaking in an interview, retired security expert Captain Abdullahi Bakoji said the proposal could improve security by decentralising policing and making law enforcement more responsive at the community level.
He explained that local officers would better understand their environments, including terrain, culture and behavioural patterns, which would enhance rapid response to crime. According to him, “State police will help in bringing security closer to the people because indigenes are always much more familiar with the terrain, the culture, attitude and behaviours of their people, so it will help in rapid response and combating crimes.”
Despite these advantages, Bakoji warned that without strong institutional safeguards, state police forces could be misused by political office holders, particularly governors. He raised concerns that such forces could be deployed to suppress opposition activities or target citizens critical of government policies.
He also highlighted inequality in state finances as a major challenge, noting that wealthier states would likely fund better-equipped and better-trained police units, while poorer states may struggle with recruitment, training and logistics.
Bakoji stressed that any state policing system must guarantee loyalty to the constitution and the rule of law rather than individuals or political parties. “Before this initiative is implemented, there must be proper structure and provisions in place to ensure the loyalty of the state police is to the rule of law, not to a person or party,” he said.
He added that although the idea could help address Nigeria’s security challenges, the main risk lies in preventing political control over security institutions.
Political analyst and Vice-President of the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), Professor Murtala Muhammad, said prospects for the bill’s passage are currently stronger than at any time since 1999, attributing this to rising insecurity, overstretched federal policing capacity and growing demand for decentralised security.
He noted that examples from federal systems such as the United States, Canada, India and Germany show that decentralised policing can be effective when supported by strong oversight and accountability structures.
Muhammad said state legislatures are likely to back the reform due to governors’ longstanding demand for greater control over security matters. However, he cautioned that funding challenges, operational sustainability concerns and fears of politicisation could lead to resistance in some states.
He further warned that the timing of the debate, ahead of elections, could influence public perception, with critics concerned that state police might be used for partisan advantage.
Muhammad also expressed concern over proposals allowing governors to appoint state commissioners of police, noting that Nigeria’s history of patronage politics could increase the risk of abuse.
He concluded that the success of the reform would depend not only on constitutional approval but also on strong safeguards such as independent oversight bodies, legislative scrutiny, judicial checks, secure tenure for police leadership, and clear national standards to ensure professionalism, neutrality and public trust.