In a bold stance against the establishment of state police, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun asserted that Nigeria is not yet ready for such a decentralized law enforcement system. Speaking at a high-profile dialogue on state policing, Egbetokun voiced concerns about the potential exacerbation of ethnic tensions and the fragmentation of loyalty within states.
Represented by AIG Ben Okolo, the IGP cautioned against the proliferation of command structures that would accompany the introduction of state police. He warned of the risk of state governors abusing the powers associated with state police for political ends, potentially resulting in human rights violations and abuses of authority.
Highlighting financial constraints, Egbetokun argued that state governments lack the necessary funding to support the robust policing infrastructure required at the sub-national level. Instead of advocating for state police, he proposed an alternative approach: the amalgamation of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Road Safety Commission into a unified department within the Nigeria Police Force.
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Moreover, Egbetokun stressed the importance of meeting international standards for policing by increasing the annual recruitment of police personnel by 30,000, in alignment with UN recommendations. Additionally, he called for a substantial boost in the annual budget allocation to the Nigeria Police Force to facilitate modernization and capacity-building efforts.
As debates surrounding Nigeria’s security architecture continue to unfold, Egbetokun’s position underscores the complexities and challenges inherent in shaping the nation’s law enforcement landscape.
