Okey Nwanguma, the national coordinator and executive director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), recently proposed the idea of merging the Civil Defence with the police force in Nigeria. He argued that such a merger could be a beneficial move, considering the challenges faced by the Nigeria Police Force due to inadequate funding.
Nwanguma highlighted that simply expanding police recruitment may not sufficiently address the issue of manpower. Therefore, merging the Civil Defence with the police could offer a more effective solution.
Furthermore, Nwanguma stressed the importance of incorporating forensic capabilities into the unified organization. He emphasized the significance of investing in technology and resources essential for conducting thorough forensic investigations.
In addition, Nwanguma underlined the critical need to prioritize officer welfare and motivation. He pointed out that the well-being and motivation of officers play a vital role in their dedication and performance. Therefore, merging the Civil Defence with the police could lead to a more streamlined and efficient security structure in Nigeria, addressing key concerns such as manpower, forensic capabilities, and officer welfare.
In an interview with The Sun, Okey said, "I hear some people say: merge Civil Defence with police, and I think that’s a good idea, because why are we creating more security agencies when we are not able to fund the Nigeria police."