State Police: A Monster That Could One Day Become a Threat to Nigeria

By Danjuma Katsina

The security situation in Nigeria cannot be resolved simply by creating state police. In my view, establishing state police could further complicate matters rather than solve them. There is a possibility that it could become an agenda pursued by certain politicians or sections of the country, eventually turning into a monster that could one day threaten the very people it was created to protect.

If the country is genuinely serious about addressing its security challenges, there are several important issues that should be examined first.

First, as far back as the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida, there were concerns that Nigeria’s population and geographical expansion would continue to increase, and that security challenges could consequently become more serious. This led to efforts to prepare the country for future security challenges before they became overwhelming.

Within the Nigeria Police Force, an existing unit known as the Mobile Police, or MOPOL, was strengthened. Its personnel received training similar to military training, including field and bush operations, and were provided with improved weapons and equipment. At the time, MOPOL was regarded as a highly capable force for dealing with serious security threats.

Where is MOPOL today? Why has its level of training and operational capacity been reduced? If the unit had continued to receive adequate investment and professional development, it could have played a major role in addressing Nigeria’s current security challenges.

Second, there was once a police unit known as the Quick Intervention Force, which operated for several years. Its responsibilities included responding rapidly to urban disturbances and civil unrest. Its personnel were trained in self-defence and in techniques for controlling violent situations.

If that section of the police had been maintained and strengthened, it could have made a significant contribution to tackling gang violence, robbery, phone snatching and other crimes occurring in our cities.

There was also SARS, which was disbanded during the administration of Muhammadu Buhari. Its primary responsibility was combating armed robbery. If the problems associated with the unit had been addressed through proper reforms and stronger oversight, it could also have continued to play an important role in fighting serious crime.

These three units could be extremely useful if properly reformed, staffed with competent officers, given better salaries, quality training, modern equipment and clear operational rules. They could play a major role in addressing insecurity in our towns and cities.

Another important issue is the number of committees established by successive governments to examine and reform policing in Nigeria. One of the most notable was the committee established by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua under the leadership of the late M. D. Yusuf. The committee included five former Inspectors-General of Police. It conducted extensive work and submitted a report.

Where is that report today? What did it contain? What happened to the reports of other committees established before it? What recommendations did they make, and why were those recommendations not implemented?

Many of these committees were established before Nigeria’s security crisis reached its current level. For example, the final report of the M. D. Yusuf committee was submitted in 2010. I have read the report and studied some of its recommendations.

In my opinion, if successive governments had implemented the recommendations contained in that report, Nigeria might not have reached the security situation we are facing today.

The report outlined comprehensive reforms aimed at transforming the police into a more effective national institution. These included improvements in discipline, professional conduct, training, salaries, equipment and the welfare of police officers.

It also highlighted how criminals could sponsor individuals to join the police in order to have people within the institution working for them. The report proposed measures for preventing such infiltration and strengthening the integrity of the police recruitment process.

Third, during the Babangida administration, there was an attempt to establish a security force known as the National Guard. Personnel were drawn from different security agencies and taken to a training camp in the Sambisa area, where they began specialised training.

The plan was that if a security challenge arose that was beyond the capacity of the Quick Intervention Force or MOPOL, the National Guard would be deployed before the situation developed into a major national threat.

However, the programme was discontinued before it could achieve its full potential. Had it continued, it might have played a significant role in strengthening Nigeria’s national security architecture.

Fourth, various committees have also made recommendations on how to improve the Nigerian military. One of the more recent committees was established during the Buhari administration.

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The question is: How many of the recommendations made by these committees have actually been implemented?

Their recommendations covered virtually everything, from recruitment and training to equipment and operational capacity. What happened to the reports submitted to the Federal Government?

Members of the military have frequently complained about funding, including delays in accessing funds allocated to them through the national budget. When an urgent need arises, a request may have to be written and forwarded to the President for approval before funds can be released. By the time the money becomes available, the security situation may have deteriorated far beyond the problem the funding was originally intended to address.

Too often, the money allocated to the military ends up being used merely to settle accumulated operational debts rather than providing the resources required to confront emerging threats.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has also faced challenges relating to funding, training and equipment. It was only under the current leadership of the agency that some reforms and improvements became more noticeable. Nevertheless, much more still needs to be done.

In my view, the most important step towards improving security in Nigeria is to reform and strengthen the existing security agencies, while implementing the recommendations they submit to the Federal Government. There should also be serious consideration of reviving some security structures or units that have been weakened or discontinued, such as MOPOL, the Quick Intervention Force and the National Guard.

State Police

In virtually every debate about state police, the loudest voices are often those of politicians and supporters of the proposal, particularly from some parts of southern Nigeria. But where are the genuine security experts? Why are many of them silent?

The truth is that the confusion surrounding the proposal may outweigh the benefits it is expected to provide.

Take Katsina State, for example. Are we going to wait for state police to solve our security problems? When will they be recruited? When will they be trained? When will they receive equipment? When will they become operational? And will they be the ones entering the forests to confront armed bandits?

The Katsina State Government established Community Security Guards, and, to be fair, they have played a role in identifying individuals who provide information to bandits. They have also assisted security agencies in identifying bandit hideouts and supporting operations against them.

If state police are established, will these community security personnel be disbanded? Or will state police simply replace them?

States are already struggling with limited internally generated revenue and the enormous responsibilities placed on them. How, then, will they finance a large security institution such as a state police force?

Will the Federal Government provide funding to every state? Or will each state be expected to finance its own police force?

A security officer who is desperately in need, poorly paid, inadequately trained and lacking proper discipline can become more dangerous than the criminal operating in the forest.

My fear is that, if state police are established, we may one day hear stories of a northerner being arrested in a part of southern Nigeria, taken to a state police station, questioned and eventually charged in court—similar to what we have seen involving some local security outfits in certain states.

In the North, there is also a possibility that state police could become political weapons in the hands of those in power or wealthy individuals. One day, they could become monsters that hunt anyone who opposes those who control them or anyone who refuses to support the people who helped establish them.

Therefore, before rushing to establish state police, Nigeria should first reform and strengthen the security institutions that already exist. The recommendations of committees that have studied the country’s security challenges should be implemented, and useful security structures that were previously discontinued should be reconsidered.

Nigeria’s security problem is not that the country lacks security agencies. What it lacks most is an effective system, adequate equipment, proper training, sufficient operational funding, good leadership and the full implementation of recommendations made by experts.

Danjuma is the publisher of Katsina Times and Katsina City News Magazine.

Contact: 08020570059