Elder statesman and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) chieftain, Buba Galadima, has dismissed calls for the creation of state police as a solution to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, arguing that decentralising policing would neither address the country’s security challenges nor guarantee public safety.
Galadima said that if the existing security architecture — comprising the Nigeria Police Force and the military — has struggled to curb insecurity, establishing state police would not automatically deliver better results.
He also warned that governors could weaponise state-controlled police forces to intimidate political opponents, silence dissent, and consolidate power, raising concerns over the potential abuse of such institutions.
His remarks come amid renewed national debate over constitutional reforms and increasing calls for state policing as kidnappings, banditry and violent attacks continue across several parts of the country.
The proposal for state police has drawn both support and criticism, with advocates arguing it would strengthen community policing and improve local intelligence, while opponents fear it could become a political tool in the hands of state governments.
