Some analysts, security experts and stakeholders in Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States have argued that the establishment of state police in Nigeria could effectively control crime if clear jurisdictional boundaries, strong safeguards and sustainable funding are put in place.
Speaking in separate interviews, the stakeholders said state police would improve intelligence gathering, ensure faster response to security threats and enhance community trust, but warned against political abuse.
An Ebonyi-based analyst, Mr Benjamin Ibe, said state police would strengthen crime management through better intelligence and quicker response, stressing the need to clearly define its scope to avoid clashes with the federal police.
Another analyst, Mr Sylvester Okereke, said state police was essential to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges and improving governance, noting that officers familiar with local dialects and terrain would be more effective. He, however, recommended joint supervision by federal and state authorities to prevent abuse.
A security expert, Mr Anselem Ede, expressed concern that state police could be misused for oppression and political intimidation under the current political climate. He warned that without strong independence and checks, the initiative could lead to conflicts between state and federal authorities and become a conduit for corruption.
Some residents of Nsukka in Enugu State said state police, if properly managed, would enhance the protection of lives and property.
A senior lecturer in the Department of Political Science at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Dr Chinedu Ejezie, said recruiting indigenes into state police would improve policing due to their understanding of local security dynamics. He added that clear rules of engagement between federal and state police would prevent conflicts, though he cautioned against possible abuse by state governors.
A retired police officer, Mr Anthony Nnadi, called for the speedy establishment of state police, noting that countries such as the United States, Britain and Germany operate multi-level policing systems effectively. He said improved intelligence sharing and collaboration would help tackle crime holistically.
In Enugu, a human rights lawyer, Mr Olu Omotayo, said state police would complement existing security structures if backed by a strong legal framework that clearly defines powers and limits to prevent abuse of citizens’ rights.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Enugu Branch, Mr Venatus Odoh, described state police as long overdue, arguing that decentralised policing would reduce inefficiencies and long command chains.
The Chairman of the Enugu State chapter of the Public Affairs Analysts of Nigeria, Dr Ambrose Igboke, said Nigeria urgently needed a decentralised policing system, adding that governors could only effectively tackle crime if they had authority over security operations within their states.
In Anambra, a legal practitioner, Mr Stanley Okafor, urged the National Assembly and the Federal Government not to vest sole control of state police in governors, warning that unchecked control could lead to abuse of power.
Okafor said the 1999 Constitution currently recognises only the Nigeria Police Force and would require amendment to accommodate state police, stressing that any new framework must balance federal oversight with state participation to safeguard democracy.
Overall, the stakeholders agreed that while state police could help curb rising insecurity, its success would depend on clear legal frameworks, accountability mechanisms and safeguards against political interference.