Ex-CDS Declares State Police Inevitable For Nigeria

Nigeria has run out of alternatives to local policing. The country’s former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (retd), argues that decentralisation is no longer a matter of political debate but an operational necessity. Decades of central control from Abuja have failed to secure the hinterlands. Insurgents and bandits routinely exploit the vast gaps left by a stretched federal force. Local knowledge must now drive the national security strategy.

The shift introduces acute logistical and constitutional hurdles. Governors will control these new forces, raising immediate fears of political abuse. Many states also lack the independent revenue to pay officers regularly. Hungry police officers rarely uphold the rule of law. The federal government must design strict regulatory frameworks before handing over firearms.

National stability hinges on this transition. The current federal model deploys fewer than 400,000 officers to protect over 200 million people. This ratio leaves communities vulnerable to criminal syndicates. State police forces can close this gap by recruiting locals who understand the terrain. Success depends on shared intelligence between federal and state tiers.

Opponents worry that state police will worsen regional fault lines. Arming local forces could turn state borders into flashpoints during political disputes. To prevent this, Abuja must retain control over training standards and heavy weaponry. A weak framework will turn local police into governors’ private armies.

Nigeria cannot afford a botched security rollout. The economic toll of rural insecurity already drains the national treasury and deters foreign investment. If state policing fails, the country faces total lawlessness. The presidency must move past policy arguments and focus entirely on execution.