, Mike Ejiofor, has cautioned that not all states are prepared to successfully){kind=link}
By: Abdullahi InuwaÂ
As Nigeria inches closer to establishing state police, former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mike Ejiofor, has cautioned that not all states are prepared to successfully establish and sustain their own police formations.
Ejiofor said while the creation of state police could significantly strengthen internal security and improve community policing, the success of the initiative would depend largely on each state’s financial capacity, manpower, infrastructure and commitment to professional policing.
According to the security expert, funding remains one of the biggest hurdles, warning that several states currently struggle to meet basic financial obligations and may find it difficult to recruit, equip and maintain a functional police force.
He stressed that beyond establishing the institutions, governors must ensure officers receive adequate training, modern equipment and continuous professional development to prevent abuse, improve accountability and guarantee effective service delivery.
Ejiofor noted that states with stronger economies and better administrative structures are likely to implement the policy more quickly, while others may require additional federal support before launching their own police commands.
He urged policymakers to adopt a phased implementation strategy that considers the unique realities of each state, insisting that proper planning and institutional safeguards would be critical to ensuring state police enhance security rather than create new challenges.
The renewed debate over state policing comes amid growing calls for decentralized security architecture as Nigeria continues to battle banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes across different parts of the country.
About The Author
