The 3rd Eye: State Police in Nigeria (2)

Some governors also favour the creation of state police so that they will be in full control of the policing structures in their states. They contend that of all the progressive democracies in the world today, only Nigeria has a centralised unitary policing system in a nation presumably run by federalist doctrines and principles.

Emboldened by the constitutional provision as contained in section 176(2) of 1999 Constitution which places the burden of the internal security of each state on the shoulders of the chief security officers – Governors – the idea of a single unitary Police Force which takes orders not expressly from Governors but from the Police hierarchy in Abuja, is considered an anomaly.
Expectedly, not many Nigerians are on the same page with these governors on the issue of State police. Many contend that the Governors want State police as instrument to wield egregious powers, to oppress their opponents and put them in check.
These critics readily cite the example of what most governors have done with regards to State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) in their various states.
They note that most Nigerians, despite the somewhat imperfections of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), would rather have INEC conduct their elections than have SIECs which have now become instrument in the hands of Governors to conquer opponents and allocate votes during Local Government elections.
Some have also argued that the expression of lack of trust in the present Police system is inappropriate. They seek explanation to why it is so easy for the same Nigeria police personnel who are so maligned at home, perform so excellently well in all the international policing engagements they have embarked on since independence?
They reason therefore that rather than blame the police or seek to create other Police units, it would be more profitable to studiously look at how we have funded the police and provided them with enabling tools, motivation and environment to operate.