Former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Simon Okeke, has renewed calls for the establishment of state police in Nigeria, describing the current policing structure as outdated and inconsistent with the principles of federalism.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Wednesday, Okeke argued that Nigeria has delayed the creation of state police for too long and remains an exception among federations by operating a centralised police system.
“it is long overdue. Very much long overdue. Nigeria is the only federally constituted government that is practising unitary police,” he said.
According to him, federalism should extend beyond political administration to include security management, noting that many federal systems across the world operate decentralised policing structures.
“All over the world, federalism should also go into the security apparatus of the country. So, Nigeria is very much overdue for State Police,” he stated.
Okeke maintained that concerns about the possible abuse of state police by governors should not be used as a basis for rejecting the proposal, insisting that safeguards can be built into the system.
“We can’t, because of the fear of abuse, not practise what we consider to be most ideal for a country as big as this country,” he said.
He further argued that Nigeria’s size and complexity make it impractical for security decisions to remain concentrated at the centre.
“It doesn’t make sense at all that a country as big as Nigeria with 36 states and FCT, you have one single person on whose table the security affairs of the country are decided.”
The former PSC chairman described decentralisation as the most effective solution to the country’s security challenges.
“Decentralisation is the answer.”
Okeke also questioned the current arrangement in which governors are designated as chief security officers of their states but lack direct control over policing operations.
“You cannot say that the governors are the chief security officers of their states, and the governors are not given the chance to direct the commission of police in their state to what they will do. It doesn’t make sense at all. That’s my view.”
He added that state police would strengthen accountability by placing greater responsibility for security on state governments.
“Each governor will be solely responsible for the security of lives and property in the state.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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