The lingering debate over the creation of state police took centre stage again on Monday as the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly, led by Debo Ogundoyin, clashed over the merits and risks of decentralising Nigeria’s policing system.
They spoke in Abuja during a legislative dialogue on national security, themed “Nigeria’s Peace and Security: The Constitutional Imperative”, organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Naijaonpoint reports that Egbetokun reaffirmed his opposition to the creation of state police, saying Nigeria’s current political and economic conditions are “not ripe” for decentralised law enforcement.
“Our assessment, based on current political, institutional, and socio-economic realities, suggests that Nigeria is not politically prepared for the initiation of police powers at the state level,” he warned.
He cited Sections 214(1) and 215(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which establish the Nigeria Police Force as the sole policing body for the federation, and vest its command in the Inspector General of Police, appointed by the President.
While acknowledging that localised policing might offer faster responses to community threats, he cautioned against potential dangers, including political misuse, fragmentation of intelligence, and lack of funding capacity by states.
“Key concerns include the possibility of political misuse of police powers at the state level, lack of funding capacity by most states, and the potential for fragmentation of national security and command,” he stated.
Egbetokun argued instead for reforms aimed at strengthening federal police capacity, establishing community policing frameworks under the NPF, and building better intelligence-sharing architecture.
“Without a clear constitutional framework for timely, secure, and mandatory intelligence exchange, we cannot effectively preempt or neutralise emerging threats,” he said.
He proposed that sub-national security outfits be recognised but remain under strict federal regulation, with unified standards for recruitment, training, and discipline.
But Speaker Debo Ogundoyin of the Oyo State House of Assembly countered the IGP, stressing that the centralised policing system is overstretched and underperforming.
“We know exactly where the shoe pinches when it comes to security because we all face our different types of insecurity in our various states,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures, Ogundoyin backed a “multi-layered policing structure” similar to models used in other federal systems around the world.
“This is not merely a political position but a patriotic and strategic necessity,” he added.
He also emphasised the need for inter-agency collaboration, intelligence sharing, and stronger laws to deal with emerging threats such as cybercrime and terrorism.
The clash highlights the deepening divide between the federal and state perspectives on policing. While the IGP pushed for more resources, autonomy, and coordination within the existing centralised structure, the state speakers maintained that local realities demand local solutions.
“Whether we like it or not, the 36 states and the FCT make up Nigeria. The Nigerian people are here calling for state police,” Ogundoyin declared.