A former Joint Task Force (JTF) commander, Dr. Isma’il Tanko Wudilawa, has expressed reservations about the proposed creation of state police, warning that while it offers certain advantages, it could also introduce new security and governance challenges if not properly managed.
Speaking on the issue, the retired Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) officer noted that discussions around state police have existed since the 1990s but have repeatedly stalled due to concerns over implementation and potential conflicts.
According to him, one of the major issues is how state police would operate alongside the Nigeria Police Force, raising questions about jurisdiction, coordination and the possibility of overlapping responsibilities.
Despite these concerns, Wudilawa said state police could improve intelligence gathering and crime detection because officers would have better knowledge of their local communities and be able to respond more quickly to security threats.
He, however, warned that inadequate funding, poor welfare and political interference could undermine the effectiveness of the system. He also expressed concerns that corruption and abuse of power could increase if recruitment and operations are not properly regulated.
Wudilawa stressed that traditional rulers, religious leaders and community representatives should play active roles in the recruitment process to ensure the system remains community-driven and free from excessive political influence.
He added that passing the state police bill would only be the first step, stressing that comprehensive measures must be put in place to ensure it effectively protects lives and property.
Also commenting on the proposal, retired military officer and security analyst, Capt. Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu, said the debate should focus less on whether Nigeria needs state police and more on whether adequate constitutional and institutional safeguards are in place to prevent abuse.
He acknowledged that Nigeria’s centralised policing system has struggled to address challenges such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence, adding that decentralised policing could strengthen intelligence gathering, improve response times and enhance community-based security.
However, Adamu cautioned that there are legitimate concerns that state police could be used by political leaders to intimidate opponents or interfere with democratic processes if proper oversight is lacking.
He maintained that the success of state police would depend on merit-based recruitment, professional training, sustainable funding, respect for human rights, independent oversight and strong accountability mechanisms.
According to him, bringing policing closer to local communities has the potential to strengthen internal security, but only if the system remains impartial, professional and operates strictly within the rule of law.
