#AriseNewsTownhall: State Police Not Competing With Federal, Other Security Agencies, Says Gen Irabor

Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (rtd), has articulated that the proposed state police in Nigeria is intended to complement, rather than compete with, federal and other security agencies. This statement comes amidst significant legislative progress, with both chambers of the National Assembly having passed a constitutional amendment bill to establish state police. The move aims to decentralise policing powers, shifting it from the Exclusive to the Concurrent Legislative List, thereby allowing states to establish their own forces to address escalating insecurity. The new framework seeks to define clear jurisdictional boundaries and introduce safeguards against potential abuse, marking a pivotal shift in Nigeria's security architecture.

General Irabor's statement is particularly pertinent given the recent legislative advancements towards actualising state policing. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate have passed a landmark constitutional amendment bill, signaling a significant step towards fundamentally restructuring Nigeria's security framework. This article delves into the legal underpinnings of this proposed reform, examining the constitutional alterations, the rationale behind the shift, and the implications for legal practitioners and the broader Nigerian society.

However, the escalating and complex security threats, including banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence, have severely strained the centralised NPF, leading to widespread calls for a decentralised approach. Proponents argue that a single federal police force is ill-equipped to effectively respond to localised security challenges in a country with over 200 million people and vast geographic and cultural diversity. This agitation for state police has historical roots, with Nigeria having experienced regional policing during the First Republic, which was later abolished due to perceived abuses.

The bill also addresses the relationship between the two tiers of policing by establishing a non-interference rule for the Federal Police in state internal security affairs, with narrow exceptions. Federal intervention would only be permitted in cases of a complete breakdown of law and order that the state police cannot handle, or upon a formal request from the state governor. However, critical challenges remain, particularly regarding funding and institutional capacity. Concerns persist that poorly funded state police forces could be susceptible to undue influence from politicians or wealthy individuals, potentially undermining their effectiveness and impartiality. The debate is now shifting from the principle of state police to the practicalities of its implementation, including operational standards, command structures, equipment, and sustainable funding models.

As Nigeria moves towards a more decentralised policing architecture, the legal community should anticipate a new era of jurisprudence concerning inter-agency cooperation, accountability, and the protection of civil liberties. The effectiveness of these reforms will hinge on meticulous legislative drafting, diligent implementation, and a commitment to upholding the rule of law, ensuring that state police truly complement federal efforts in securing lives and property without becoming instruments of political oppression. The coming months will be critical in shaping the operational realities of this transformative legal development.