State Police now a national imperative — Igbo Elders

2026-03-26 - 17:13

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu NNEWI — The United Igbo Elders Council Worldwide has described the establishment of state police as a national imperative, warning that it is critical for Nigeria’s security, justice, and survival. In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its Director-General, Alpha Ikpeama, and National Director of Media and Publicity, Obasi Igwe, the group said the time for hesitation on state policing had passed. According to the council, the creation of state police is no longer a matter of political debate but one of urgent national survival, given the scale of insecurity across the country. “Nigeria today stands at a dangerous crossroads. From insurgency in the North-East to banditry in the North-West, from kidnapping in the Middle Belt to violent crimes in the South, the centrally controlled policing system has become overstretched, under-resourced, and incapable of addressing modern security challenges,” the statement read. The group argued that Nigeria’s size, diversity, and complexity make centralised policing ineffective, noting that a single command structure based in Abuja cannot adequately respond to local security realities. It stressed that state police would enhance grassroots intelligence gathering, improve response time to security threats, and strengthen trust between communities and law enforcement agencies. “Security is local and must be locally driven. Criminality thrives where intelligence is weak, and intelligence is strongest at the community level,” the council said. The elders pointed to regional security initiatives such as Amotekun and other community-based systems as evidence that decentralised policing can be more effective in tackling crime. While acknowledging concerns over possible abuse of state police by political actors, the group said such fears should not hinder progress, adding that safeguards can be put in place. These include independent state police service commissions, judicial oversight, constitutional protections, and clear operational boundaries with federal agencies. The council also highlighted the link between security and economic development, noting that investors are unlikely to commit resources to environments plagued by insecurity. It added that state police would help restore investor confidence, protect local economies, and create employment opportunities. According to the group, true federalism requires decentralisation of security responsibilities, describing state police as consistent with global best practices. “The cost of delay is measured in lives. Every day of delay, more communities are attacked, more citizens are kidnapped, and more lives are lost,” the statement added. The council called on the National Assembly to urgently initiate constitutional amendments to enable the establishment of state police, while urging state legislatures and the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to demonstrate decisive leadership on the issue. “State police is not a luxury or a political experiment; it is a national necessity. Nigeria must choose between reform and regret,” the group stated.