Seadogs back state police, call for decentralised security architecture

2026-02-04 - 10:58

By Jeremiah Urowayino Ikeja chapter of the National Association of Seadogs, also known as the Pyrates Confraternity, has stressed that local intelligence is critical to effective crime fighting, while calling for the creation of independent state police service commissions and a clear division of powers between federal and state police formations. Legal practitioner, Olajide Abiodinola, made the call while speaking at the NAS Citizens’ Summit, themed: ‘Decentralised Security Architecture: Redefining Federal and State Roles as Nigeria Battles Escalating Insecurity.’ Abiodinola highlighted prevailing security threats, including Boko Haram insurgency, armed banditry, kidnapping and piracy, noting that the situation demands a restructured security framework, with serious consideration given to the introduction of state police. He maintained that local authority and intelligence are vital to effective policing, arguing that Nigeria’s existing security arrangement, which depends largely on centrally controlled federal agencies, has created gaps that allow insecurity to persist. He further explained that decentralisation does not equate to a loss of control, but rather requires an understanding of the layered nature of security challenges and the strategic value of local knowledge in addressing them. According to him, although state policing may not be a flawless solution, it offers a more practical approach to tackling local security concerns than the current centralized system. Abiodinola advocated a balanced structure that clearly defines federal and state responsibilities while putting safeguards in place to prevent abuse of power. He also noted that states are prepared to establish state police structures, provided there is a constitutional amendment and financial autonomy that reduces dependence on federal allocations. He added that states unable to generate sufficient internally generated revenue should be restructured or merged to ensure viability under a decentralised security system.