State police in Nigerian policing system has been widely suggested Those who push for it, believe that it is the only solution for the curbing of the incessant security conundrum in Nigeria.
It was a major topic of discussion on Wednesday on iBrand TV’s flagship programme, iBrand DayBreak.
Matthew Olukwu, a public affairs analyst, believes that “it is time for Nigeria to consider breaking down security power a bit by bringing it closer to the people at the state level”.
Before now supporters of state policing in Nigeria have argued that government needed to adopt a police system that is closer to the people and one which they can trust.
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State Policing
One of the best things that can happen to any nation that is progressing is adoption of state policing.
Mr. Olukwu says it will promote quick response and make it easier to solve crimes.
Reacting to questions on iBrand DayBreak, the public affairs analyst wondered “why we need the Inspector General of Police (IGP) permission from Abuja to resolve a crime case in Lagos or any other state”.
He described Nigeria’s style of policing as a serious clog in the wheel of progress
He said: “Truthfully, there are merits and demerits to the system, but if the merits outweighs the demerits then we should go ahead and adopt it, because all good things have some bad sides.
“The democracy we are practising was adopted from America and we can see how well state policing has helped them over there in resolving major crimes.
“So why are we dragging our feet on this matter.
According to him, the Southwest already has its own security agency in ‘Amotekun’ that is performing wonders within the region”.
On Arms And Ammunition
He suggested state policing should be adopted with the Nigeria Police Police (NPF), Department of State Security (DSS) performing oversight functions over the state police.
In terms of arms and ammunition, Olukwu believes that the DSS and Police can create programmes that will help train the actors in the state police and help them acquire the needed skills.
He, however, did not shy away from the fact that there could be abuse of this opportunity by some unscrupulous elements.
But he emphasised that the government should look at the amount of burden it will remove from the Police.
“We all know that men of the Nigeria Police Force are poorly remunerated.
“They are short staffed and to a large extent some are not adequately trained.
“And they are also not provided with up to date equipment in terms of arms and ammunition to effectively combat crime and criminality within Nigeria”.
Amotekun
Since the establishment of Amotekun, the agency has showed efforts to rid the Southwest and its environs of crimes and criminality.
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Within its first 12 months in existence, over 4,000 suspects were arrested and handed over to the Police in to the Police for further investigation.
Also, they are collaborating with security agencies from Edo and Kogi states to flush out criminals operating in Ondo border towns of Akoko.
The activities of the security agency in Oyo and Osun has contributed significantly to the peace, security and safety of lives of the people.
In summary, Mr. Matthew Olukwu, asked, “whose job is it to protect the lives and properties of the citizens of Nigeria if the government that is supposed to have the monopoly of coercive power is not able to exercise it?”.
The DayBreak discussion was premised on the recent killings around Anambra and Imo states and the response of the government to the atrocious act of the gunmen.
