By Victor Akinkuolie, Sade Adewale & Oluwadamilola Akinduro

For the umpteenth time, security experts have reiterated their call for State Police, insisting that Nigeria is under-policed.

They hinged their call on the convition that state police would respond more effectively to local security challenges in the country.

Investigations, they disclosed, have shown that crimes are perpetrated more in the local communities, and that only local and grassroots networks of security would help in effectively taming the activities of criminals.

The security experts, including religious leaders observed that there is no better time than now to have state police.

They bemoaned resurgence of kidnapping and other criminal activities across the country, including the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and urged the National Assembly to urgently pass a bill on State Police to combat crimes in the country.

The stakeholders explained that the fears of misuse and unhealthy rivalry among other security agencies should not be an issue, saying this can easily be addressed by the appropriate authorities.

They maintained that Nigeria is under-policed, adding that with state police, the nation can respond more effectively to security challenges and improve the society.

Those who spoke with The Hope in separate interviews included the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) Ondo State chapter, Rev’d Father Anselm Ologunwa, an Ekiti State-based security expert, Alhaji Bashir Abaji,  a security analyst, Adelayo Adeniran, the President, Ekiti State Council of Elders, Professor Joseph Oluwasanmi, a public affairs analyst, Henry Olonimoyo, a religious leader, Temitope Osabiyi and Ekiti based legal practitioner, Ìyanu Olamoyegun,

Rev’d Ologunwa stated that state police is desirable and necessary to address the unique needs of each state.

The cleric noted that the major concern about state police is the fear of misuse by state governments, especially in areas with high political tensions and conflicts, stressing that some people believe that state police could be used for political oppression or intimidation.

“The prospects for state police are promising. Given the current security challenges facing our nation, there is a growing recognition of the need for decentralized security solutions. Funding and resource allocation have been identified as potential challenges”, he said.

An Ekiti State-based security expert, Alhaji Bashir Abaji, advised governors in the South-West region as a matter of urgency to embrace and support the formation of State police, towards addressing the security challenges in the zone.

Abaji who is also a retired Director of State Security Services (SSS), explained that time has come for the governments to be decisive in tackling the activities of criminal elements in the country  by investing in the local and grassroots policing for a secured society.

Abaji who is also the Proprietor of a security outfit based in Ifaki-Ekiti commended the six governors in the southwest region for their support towards the operations of the South West Security Network, solicited the cooperation of stakeholders especially traditional rulers and the residents by providing timely and adequate information on suspicious activities in their communities.

He added that though the existing security agencies in the country are doing their best to provide security for the people, bureaucracies and other factors have limited their performances in addressing kidnappings, killings and other heinous crimes.

The expert stressed that creation of State Police, would further assist in tackling banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities in the country.

A security analyst, Adelayo Adeniran reaffirmed that the desirability of State Police, in a multi- lingual and ethnic country like Nigeria, cannot be over- emphasized.

Adeniran stated that Nigeria is an under-policed state, with a police-citizen ratio of 1-600, as against, the UN recommended ratio of 1-450, saying apart from the issue of number, daily experience of crime rate in Nigeria is so alarming that citizens even call to question the effectiveness and integrity of the police.

According to him, “from the above, there is no gainsaying the fact that, we need to complement the efforts of the Nigerian Police Force, with those of State Police. If understanding the language and culture of the people of an area by the police is key to effective policing, then, the establishment of State Police is the answer.

“Yes, over the years, the proposal for the establishment of State Police has been confronted with some factors. Logistic problems, and fear of it being misused by the State Government. But the main problem is the lack of political will to establish it.

“The Nigeria Police Force is also afraid of unhealthy rivalry between itself and the state police personnel. As a matter of fact, the Nigerian Police Force is of the opinion that, the State Police, when established, will become the preference of the people,” Adeniran stressed.

According to him, afterall, after some initial hiccups, the Nigerian Security & Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Amotekun have come to stay, adding that the same for Hisbah in Kano State, which is operating as a local vigilante group.

On his part, Professor Oluwasanmi, said: “Though, there is fear and panic by some Nigerians that the State Police if established, might be misused  and abused by politicians by using them as political “dogs” to rig election and deal with their oppositions”.

However, a legal practitioner, Olamoyegun, argued that misuse and funding will be the major factors that would militate against the operation of state police if founded in the country as “Some people are worried that state police could be used for political oppression or intimidation,” he explained.

Also speaking, Olonimoyo, an environmentalist and advocate for a better Nigeria, argued that discussions on state policing have evolved from convenience to absolute necessity.

Highlighting the country’s security challenges, Olonimoyo stressed the urgent need for state police, noting that state governors currently lack real power as Chief Security Officers.