Former Police Chief Warns State Police Will Face Funding Crisis and Governor Abuse

By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR

Former Commissioner of Police Balarabe Sule (retired) warned that the newly legislated state police structure could collapse due to funding shortfalls and executive abuse in many states of the federation.

Sule, speaking to the Vanguard on Wednesday, responded to the Senate’s approval of the executive bill that establishes state police, cautioning that although the measure could reduce crime, Nigeria is not yet ready for the transition.

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

He identified five key threats to the policy’s success: insufficient funding, corruption, abuse of power by governors, conflicting interests, and a lack of operational uniformity across the federation.

Regarding corruption, Sule linked low pay to professional compromise.

“When you don’t pay them well and as at when due, they will be exposed to corruption. You don’t expect an officer who is not well paid and equipped to perform optimally,” he warned.

He also voiced concern about political interference, fearing that state governors might weaponise the new force against perceived opponents.

“I also fear that state police will be subject to abuse by the governors who pay them, irrespective of the checks and balances,” he said.

Sule noted that the lack of uniform operational standards across the 36 constitutionally distinct states would deepen these fractures, arguing that each state’s unique economic realities make a one‑size‑fits‑all policing model impractical.

Despite his reservations, the former commissioner acknowledged the value of community‑based policing, noting that officers recruited locally would bring invaluable local intelligence.

“In your locality, you practically know everyone and where crimes are likely to be committed.”

“Recruitment will be done in such a way that only indigenous people will be posted to their area,” he said