Crisis between security agencies in Nigeria is the only problem to our national security but not state police. Inter agency crisis is a misunderstanding between the security agencies that is contributing in fighting against insecurity in Nigeria. If Federal Government can find a solution to end or minimise this crisis between our security agencies, Nigeria will be free of insecurity and there is no need of establishing state police.
The disadvantages of state police double its advantages. Just look at the number of enforcement of fundamental human rights cases against state agencies at the FHC, many states of the federation have “Road Traffic Agency” which on several occasions infringes citizens’ rights, you will find FRSC and State Traffic Agency working on the same highway, both have similar duties, the only difference is the law that established them.
FRSC claims superior over State Traffic Agency, as a result of this, the court of appeal sitting in Imo State ruled that FRSC can only operate on federal highway not state road, those advocating for state police should know this is what will happen between the Nigerian Police Force and State Police if established, we will reach a level where a federal police officer cannot work in some area within the state, for state police to work, they must have different jurisdiction with federal police and this is very dangerous. Take the recent case of Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State as an example, now, as the Nigerian Police withdrew his securities for not allowing EFCC to arrest him, what do you think will stop sitting governor of Kogi State from giving him another security if he has state police under his control? Honestly, nothing will stop him and there will be conflict of interest as the state police will not allow federal police to exercise their duties against the interest of state.
Federal government should focus on finding solution to inter agency crisis considering the reported cases of fighting between police, military, NDLEA, NSCDC and FRSC. Just recently, Nigerian Police killed two officers of NSCDC as Gusau, Zamfara State at Eid ground. This is what is disturbing the national security of Nigeria, there are numerous reported cases between military and police when working as joint task force, this is because one disrespect another.
Now, NSCDC are exercising the duties of police by arresting and investigating a suspect, it was last week that the high court of Borno State directs NSCDC to pay damages to a young lawyer they wrongly detained in Maiduguri.
State police is not the problem to the National Security of Nigeria, rather inter agency crisis.
I. A Mohammed
jawawumeri@gmail.com
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