In a recent interview with Channels Television, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, cautioned against the possibility of some state governors utilising state police as a tool for oppression.
Falana emphasised the necessity for robust legal safeguards to prevent governors from leveraging police apparatus to intimidate or suppress political opponents.
Highlighting the current landscape of policing in the nation, Falana noted the decentralisation already present in residential areas and communities, where private security outfits, armed with various weapons, safeguard inhabitants.
He stressed the importance of clearly delineating the jurisdiction of state police to avoid inter-rivalry and conflicts among security agents, advocating for a people-oriented policing approach rather than one centered around government interests.
Falana underscored the critical role of effective management in the success of the country’s policing system. He criticised the failure of the Nigeria Police Council, comprising 36 state chief executives, to convene and address crucial issues pertaining to police administration and management, as mandated by the Constitution.
While acknowledging the growing calls for state police to address escalating security challenges, Falana urged a cautious approach, insisting on comprehensive policy refinement before its implementation. He expressed concerns that, without adequate safeguards, some governors might exploit state police to oppress political adversaries, echoing similar abuses seen within the federal police force.
The debate surrounding the establishment of state police has gained traction in recent months, with notable figures such as President Bola Tinubu and several governors endorsing the idea as a means to combat rising insecurity. However, the consensus among all 36 governors on the matter is yet to be publicly disclosed.
Falana’s warning serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in decentralizing policing in a federation like Nigeria, underscoring the need for meticulous planning and safeguards to ensure that state police serve the interests of the people rather than becoming instruments of oppression.
