Ex-Police Commissioner Warns State Police May Face Funding Crisis and Governor Abuse

By Ike Uchechukwu

CALABAR — Balarabe Sule, a retired Commissioner of Police, has voiced concerns about the feasibility of the proposed state police system, warning that insufficient funding and potential misuse by state governors could compromise its effectiveness.

Sule made his remarks in response to the Senate’s approval of the executive bill that would establish state police forces. He acknowledged that the initiative could improve security and curb crime, but highlighted several obstacles that might impede its successful rollout.

According to the former police chief, many states may find it difficult to supply the financial resources needed to recruit, equip, and properly compensate personnel under the new policing structure.

“I can tell you that many states will not have the resources to equip and pay the remuneration of those to be employed to function effectively,” he said.

Sule identified inadequate funding, corruption, abuse of power by governors, conflicts of interest, and a lack of operational uniformity across states as major threats to the success of state policing.

He noted that poor welfare packages and irregular salary payments could expose officers to corruption and undermine their effectiveness.

“When officers are not paid well and on time, they become vulnerable to corruption. You cannot expect an officer who is poorly paid and inadequately equipped to perform optimally,” he stated.

The retired commissioner also warned that governors might use state police formations to target political opponents and critics.

“I fear that state police may be subjected to abuse by the governors who fund them, regardless of whatever checks and balances are put in place,” he said.

Sule further argued that the varying economic realities and administrative capacities of the 36 states could make it difficult to maintain uniform operational standards nationwide.

He said that the absence of a common framework could create disparities in policing effectiveness from one state to another.

Despite these concerns, he acknowledged the benefits of community‑based policing, noting that officers recruited from local communities would have a better understanding of their surroundings and could provide valuable intelligence on criminal activities.

“In your locality, you practically know everyone and where crimes are likely to occur. Recruitment should be structured in such a way that indigenous officers serve within their communities,” he said.

Sule maintained that while state police could strengthen grassroots security and intelligence gathering, strong safeguards, sustainable funding mechanisms, and effective oversight would be essential to prevent abuse and ensure professionalism.