State police bill could increase insecurity, says security expert

A retired senior police officer, DSP Adamu M. Muhammad (Rtd), has cautioned that creating state police forces in Nigeria without first addressing the challenges faced by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) could intensify insecurity and threaten national unity.

In an exclusive interview with DAILY POST, he said that although rising insecurity has spurred calls for state police, the proposal fails to tackle the underlying problems affecting policing in the country.

According to him, “Creating State Police at this moment poses serious risks to national stability, internal security and the safety of law‑abiding citizens.”

The retired officer argued that successive governments have weakened the NPF through years of neglect, inadequate funding, and the transfer of key policing responsibilities to other agencies.

He noted that institutions such as the DSS, FRSC and EFCC were established to perform duties that were originally handled by police departments, while police assets—including barracks, land and operational vehicles—had reportedly been sold without improving the Force.

Muhammad also highlighted the poor welfare of police officers, stating that many personnel must purchase their own uniforms and equipment, and that divisional commands receive little operational funding.

He questioned the logic of creating separate state police organisations when the federal government has failed to adequately fund the existing national police force.

“If the Federal Government has abandoned its statutory responsibility to a single constitutionally created police force, why should anyone believe that creating multiple state‑controlled forces will fare better?” he said.

The retired DSP further warned that Nigeria’s political environment could make state police vulnerable to abuse by governors and political actors.

He said the country’s history of political patronage, election violence and the use of local security outfits raises concerns that state police could become tools for intimidation and political control.

Muhammad also argued that establishing separate police organisations in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) could result in inconsistent standards, jurisdictional conflicts and weaken coordination against crimes such as terrorism, kidnapping and cybercrime.

Instead of creating state police, he urged the government to focus on strengthening the NPF through better funding, improved welfare, modern equipment, expanded community policing, recruitment of more officers and stronger oversight.

“Nigeria’s immediate priority should be the comprehensive reform, professionalisation, modernisation and adequate funding of the existing Nigeria Police Force.”

He maintained that a stronger and better‑funded national police force remains “the most practical and sustainable foundation for safeguarding security, preserving constitutional order and maintaining national unity.”