Equivocal trajectory of state policing In Nigeria

BY- EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN 

As we all know, anything that have an advantage also has disadvantage. State policing has become one of the most controversial topics still under deliberation by Nigeria’s law makers.

The bill which was proposed by Honourable Benjamin Kalu and other 15 law makers has been passed for a second reading at the House of Representatives.

When talking about state policing, what comes into everyone’s mind is that ‘system of policing , whereby the police force are under state authority or control, unlike the federal policing whereby the system is centralised. 

Power for final decision making is mostly vested on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), who is the most senior officer in the force. 

The intention towards the bill is to aid in combating insecurity in the country, which has brought fear in the mind of the citizens.

The upsurge in cases of kidnapping, banditry, armed robberies and other social vices led to different geopolitical zones in the country introducing zonal policing (vigilante groups).

On 9th January, 2020, the Western Nigerian Security Network referred to as, ‘Operation Amotekun’ was founded by the six states of the South-west Nigeria, with its headquarters located in Ibadan, Oyo state. 

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in December, 2020, launched the Eastern Security Network (ESN) to secure the South-east zone.

In February, national dailies reported that a Fulani Socio-Cultural Association, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, launched a vigilante group to combat insecurity in Nasarawa state.

Though the Nigeria Police debunked having any affiliation with the Miyetti Allah’s vigilante group and the Eastern Security Network, state policing might aid in curbing crimes but may also bring up other problems that will undermine democracy in the country. 

In this piece, I will highlight some of the major problems that state policing might bring up, due to differences in culture, religion and tribe.

Sentiments In Dispute Resolution: If the bill is finally passed definitely we expect recruitment of officers to be hinged on indigeneship.This will bring up issues and complaints of sentimental judgement in dispute resolution.

Tribalism is already a factor militating against national unity and integration in the country. There is a tendency that people from other states based in a particular state might be denied justice when they have problems with an indigene of the state or community they live in.

It is believed that state policing will make the inhabitants of the state more comfortable, and closer to the police, because the officers are from the state and they know the nooks and crannies of the state as well as the criminals’ hideouts.

Bribery will be lowered to cheaper level of buying drinks for officers or visiting the criminals to eat with them, and when going they will be given their own share of the fund that was obtained through criminality.

Once there is familiarity between the police and the criminals, there will be compromise, it is always difficult for an officer to expose or arrest a family member or friend due to the relationship. 

Abuse of Power By State Governors: Some governors might become a dictator or bad emperors, they will use the police as an instrument to frustrate or intimidate their opposition, especially during political rallies and elections.

The freedom of the press, right to freedom of speech of the citizens and right to peaceful protest might be trampled upon, despite being attributes of democracy. 

We have many instances where state governors were accused of using the police to intimidate the press and their rivals from an opposition party. 

Payment of Salary and Provision of Ammunition: Some states in Nigeria like Lagos, Rivers, Delta, etc might be able to manage their state security, in terms of payment of salaries and providing the needed ammunition/machines to combat insecurity, because they can generate high revenue internally, while some depend on federation allocation to run the state. 

If payment of salaries and provision of ammunition was a problem to the federal government, definitely it will be problem to states who depend on the federation account.

Security officers are supposed to be handled like health professionals (doctors). They are always vital in every society and should be paid well, with good medical care because our lives and properties are protected by them.

The idea of reforming the Nigeria Police Force through state policing might work, but to me the first thing the federal government should have taken into consideration is to resolve the root causes of insecurity in the country.

Poverty:  This is one of the reasons there is upsurge if insecurity and terrorism in the country

High rate of unemployment: This is another factor, even when the citizens or inhabitants of a geopolitical environment are willing to work, they can’t secure a job. 

Religious Intolerance: This is the inability of citizens to tolerate or accommodate another religion. Religion in Nigeria is now very competitive, people get slaughtered just because their religion is different from that of the murderers/terrorists.

Partisanship in politics: Let the truth be known, partisanship in politics plays a very big role in the occurrence of terrorism/insecurity in the country. For instance, the herdsmen and Boko Haram insurgency in the northern part of the country is a clear case of partisan politics.

I was conversing with a friend, I quizzed him about the job description of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC).

After proper surf of the internet, we still found out that their job description and that of the police is still the same. 

The federal government should be ready to utilise already established agencies. It is just like giving same role to different security agencies and still no result is achieved. 

It is very nice to try out new ways to resolve issues, but we should also study why it works in those countries or places before adoption.  

In conclusion, if all the aforementioned issues are looked into, it will aid the government in achieving its main purpose. It is very important to note that building strong trust between the citizens and the police is very vital in combating insecurity, because it strengthens communication and relationship between both parties, without fear of victimisation or betrayal. 

Egungwu Chukwuka Benjamin, a freelance journalist/blogger, writes in from Lagos.

NB: This article was originally published in The Blue Print Newspaper on 3rd March, and 27th February in Africa Examiner 2024.