International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume VI, Issue VI, June 2022 | ISSN 2454–6186
Contemporary Security Challenges and Agitation for State Police in Nigeria: Issues and Perspectives
Sani Garba Wakili1, & Ibrahim Adamu2
1Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social & Management Sciences
Yobe State University, P.M.B 1144, KM 7, Gujba Road, Damaturu, Yobe State – Nigeria
2Department of History, School of Social Science
Umar Suleiman College of Education, Gashua, Yobe State
Abstract: This study examined some issues and perspectives regarding agitation for creation of state police in Nigeria due to contemporary security challenges across the country (insurgency, cattle rustling, armed robbery, kidnappings, raping, farmers/herders conflicts among others) and ineffectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in discharging its constitutional mandate of maintaining law and order as well as protecting live and property of the people; some individuals and groups are calling for restructuring of the force for effective and efficient policing. The study acquired and analyzed available data in documents; based on this, the study has found that there are two divergent perspectives regarding restructuring of the NPF. Due to increasing problems of insecurity, some Nigerians are in support of establishment of state police under the constitutional control of the state governments in Nigeria. This will be through devolution of power; by placing it on the concurrent legislative list. This is because, it will help in curbing the current security challenges in the polity; the state police force is expected to comprise officers who understand the language, geography/terrain and the peculiar security challenges of the people they would be policing. This is in line with the principle of federalism, to decentralize or create state police. While others are of the view that, there is no need for two-tier police structure in the country due to behavior of Nigeria’s political figures. Objection is basically for fear of abuse of state police by state governors, ruling political parties and politicians which by extension fear of their use to intimidate political opponents, ethnic and religious minorities, and non-indigenes. The antagonists, advocated for internal reform of the NPF for effective service delivery. Considering the characteristics and character of Nigerian political actors, the study recommended the reform of the NPF.
Key words: Federalism, State Police, Nigeria Police, National security and Policing
I.INTRODUCTION
Since the return of civil rule in 1999, Nigeria’s national security has deteriorated gradually to the extent that today there is no geo-political zone of the country that is not affected by one form insecurity tendency or the other – ranging from insurgency, cattle rustling, armed robbery, kidnappings, raping, farmers/herders conflict or vandalization oil facilities. One of the major security challenges is the Boko Haram insurgency in the North Eastern region, cattle rustling and banditry in the North West, kidnapping and farmers/herders clashes in the North Central; in the South East, South West and South-South geo-political zones;