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A retired police officer, DSP Adamu M. Muhammad (Rtd), has cautioned that the proposed establishment of state police in Nigeria could aggravate insecurity and undermine national cohesion if the challenges confronting the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) remain unresolved.

Muhammad made the remarks in reaction to the recent passage of the state police bill by the Senate.

Speaking in an exclusive interview, the retired officer stated that while increasing insecurity across the country has intensified demands for state policing, the proposal fails to tackle the fundamental problems affecting law enforcement in Nigeria.

According to him, “Creating State Police at this moment poses serious risks to national stability, internal security and the safety of law abiding citizens.”

The former police officer argued that years of inadequate funding, neglect and policy decisions by successive administrations have significantly weakened the Nigeria Police Force.

He noted that agencies such as the DSS, FRSC and EFCC now perform functions that were previously handled by various police departments, adding that police facilities, operational vehicles, lands and barracks had allegedly been disposed of without corresponding improvements within the Force.

Muhammad also decried the welfare conditions of police personnel, claiming that many officers are compelled to purchase their uniforms and essential work materials, while police divisions receive insufficient operational support.

He questioned the rationale behind establishing separate policing systems at the state level when the federal government has been unable to adequately sustain the existing national police structure.

“If the Federal Government has abandoned its statutory responsibility to a single constitutionally created police force, why should anyone believe that creating multiple state controlled forces will fare better?”

The retired officer further expressed concern that Nigeria’s political climate could expose state police formations to manipulation by political office holders and state governments.

According to him, the country’s experience with political patronage, electoral violence and the misuse of local security outfits suggests that state police could easily become instruments of political intimidation.

Muhammad also warned that having separate police agencies across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory could create operational conflicts, inconsistent policing standards and poor coordination in combating crimes such as terrorism, cybercrime and kidnapping.

Rather than establishing new police institutions, he advised the government to concentrate on rebuilding the Nigeria Police Force through increased funding, improved welfare packages, modern equipment, stronger oversight mechanisms, expanded community policing and the recruitment of additional officers.

“Nigeria’s immediate priority should be the comprehensive reform, professionalisation, modernisation and adequate funding of the existing Nigeria Police Force.”

He emphasized that a well-equipped and properly funded national police institution remains, “the most practical and sustainable foundation for safeguarding security, preserving constitutional order and maintaining national unity.”

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