State policing has been defined as a police force
under State authority rather than under the authority of a city or county in
the state. It has also been defined as the police organized and maintained by a
state as distinguished from those of a lower sub-division (as a city or county)
of the state government (Mersim, 2012). However, in the Nigerian context, state
police are a kind of sub-national police force, to be organized, maintained and
under the jurisdiction of a particular state government.
In Nigeria today, there has been a recent clamor for
the establishment of State police force as opposed to what was laid down in
Section 214 of the Nigerian 1999 constitution. This is as a result of the
deteriorating situation of the security system in Nigeria. Some other reasons
for this clamour are that: the geographical area of Nigeria is too large for a
Central police command (Bulus, 2012); Policing citizens should be the responsibility
of the respective states and not that of the Federal government; It is easier
to operate close systems, shorter processes because of less loops, error
percentage and you know your target ( Mr Ekene Nwogbo quoted in Kehinde, 2013)
etc. While those against its establishment are of the view that Nigeria is not
yet mature for State Police Forces.
PROS
The following are pros or advantages of establishing
State Police Forces in Nigeria.
- It will help curb the rising tide of insecurity amongst other social vices in Nigeria.
- It will reduce the rate of unemployment as more people would be recruited into the State Police in proportion to the population of each state.
- It will help check criminal activities and corruption within the police force and the society (Chief Chekwas Okorie as quoted by Bulus, 2012).
- It will curb the attitude of policemen who hardly go to their states of origin to work but go to other states which they consider lucrative to make money.
- State policing will prevent any attack and imposition of Islam in some states.
- It will help abate the ugly trend of kidnappings in the Southern part of Nigeria
- It is easier to operate close systems, shorter processes because of less loops, error percentage and you know your target ( Mr Ekene Nwogbo quoted in Kehinde, 2013).
- It will help institute true federalism and localize/confine criminal activities.
CONS
The following are major cons or disadvantages of
establishing state police in Nigeria
- The system can be abused by state governors who wield enormous influence on their subjects
- It is too costly to maintain State police (Chief Parry Osayande quoted by Bulus, 2012).
- State executives can use the state police to harass political opponents. State governors can abuse it to the detriment of their political opponents
- It can lead to secession where one governor considering his control over security personnel and arms would declare his own country (Nwachukwu, 2012).
- There is likelihood of conflict of Jurisdiction between states especially where the conflicting states are run by different political parties (Kehinde, 2013).
- The lack of uniformity in financing may also pose a great challenge to the establishment of state police forces in Nigeria. Some states are financially stronger than others. Some governors can be reckless by having the money and not financing it properly.
- It can lead to a diversion of criminals and criminality from one state which can boast of effective policing to another state.
- It will lead to anarchy
- State police will bring tribalism
- They may be conflict of interest between the Federal police force and that of the state.
- It is not financially feasible (Ahmed quoted in Nwogu, 2012).
THE WAY
FORWARD
The benefits of establishing a State Police Force cannot
be overemphasized. However, nobody has considered that the State police force
might be hindered from doing their jobs as a result of familial feelings and
attachments in their state of origins. The idea of establishing State police
force should be brainstormed with the Nigerian situation in mind. The above
cons should be addressed before state police forces are established in Nigeria.
Also on a scale, the following questions should be answered and if positive,
State police forces can be established.
- Can state police be properly funded and maintained in Nigeria?
- Will it affect the unity of Nigeria as a nation?
- What means can be used to curb the excesses of the state governors/politicians?
- Are the general public in support of it?
- Are there ways of restoring the Nigerian Police Force to facing security challenges?
If negative answers, concerted and strategic efforts
should be geared towards creating a strong Nigeria Police Force that would meet
up with the security challenges of the country.
REFERENCES
John
Bulus, 2012, State Police: The unending debate (August 25, 2012), special
report Saturday vanguard.
Mersim,
2012, http://mersimlawquest.blogspot.com
Nwachukwu,
2012, vanguard news October 15, 2012
Nwogu
2012, punch news; Ahmed-lg-boss-oppose-state-police
Solomon
Kehinde (2013), the lawyer’s chronicle. State police forces: Is Nigeria ready? Retrieved
10/12/2013
No comments:
Post a Comment