To :His Excellency, Bola Tinubu
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
State House, Abuja, Nigeria.
Official Statement of Appreciation and National Security Advice on the Establishment of State Police in Nigeria
Introduction
Your Excellency,
It is with profound respect and gratitude that I extend my heartfelt appreciation to you and your administration for the recent **approval of State Police in Nigeria**. This monumental decision has the potential to reshape the future of national security, strengthen democratic governance, and bring a renewed sense of peace and hope to our citizens.
For decades, the Nigerian people have lived with the reality of insecurity: terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, herder–farmer conflicts, armed robbery, cybercrime, and communal clashes. While successive governments have made genuine efforts to curb these challenges, the structure of a **centralized policing system** has often limited the effectiveness of interventions. The approval of state police marks a turning point, signaling a shift toward **community-based, accountable, and responsive security management.**
This letter, therefore, serves not only as an expression of appreciation but also as a **comprehensive advisory note** to the Presidency, the 36 State Governors, and the Nigerian people. It will highlight the importance of this reform, analyze the current state of national security, offer recommendations for state governments, engage citizens on their role, and outline practical ways forward to ensure peace, stability, and progress in our beloved country.
*Appreciation to the President*
Your Excellency, this policy is **historic and courageous.** Many leaders before you discussed decentralization of policing but shied away from implementation due to political sensitivities, fears of misuse, and structural complexities. However, by taking this bold step, you have demonstrated leadership that is both visionary and pragmatic.
This decision reflects your understanding that **security is local**. Crime does not happen in abstract national spaces—it happens in villages, towns, neighborhoods, and communities. The closer the security structure is to the people, the faster it can respond, and the more trusted it will become. Your courage in breaking decades of inertia has given Nigerians new hope that security is not just a promise, but a reality within reach.
*National Security Challenges: The Reality We Face*
While appreciating the step forward, it is important to **situate the decision within Nigeria’s broader security landscape.** This will help us all—government, states, and citizens—understand the gravity of the challenges and the urgency of collective action.
1. **Terrorism and Insurgency in the North-East**
* The Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgencies have caused devastating loss of life and displacement of millions. Though progress has been made, sporadic attacks remain a threat. State police can help detect radicalization early and support deradicalization efforts.
2. **Banditry and Kidnapping in the North-West and North-Central**
* Rural communities and highways have been plagued by violent bandit groups. Kidnapping for ransom has become a multi-billion-naira criminal enterprise. Local policing with community intelligence can cut these operations at their roots.
3. **Farmer–Herder Conflicts**
* Competition over land and water resources has led to deadly clashes across the Middle Belt and parts of the South. State police can mediate, monitor grazing paths, and de-escalate tensions before they explode.
4. **Urban Crime and Cultism**
* In major cities like Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Abuja, issues of armed robbery, cultism, and gang violence persist. A localized police force is better positioned to handle urban dynamics.
5. **Cybercrime and Financial Fraud**
* Nigeria’s youth population, while highly talented, has also seen a rise in cyber-enabled crimes. Specialized state units working with federal agencies can mitigate these risks.
6. **Oil Theft and Pipeline Vandalism**
* In the Niger Delta, criminal networks continue to exploit oil resources illegally. State policing can work with local communities to protect vital national assets.
7. **Communal Clashes and Ethno-Religious Conflicts**
* From Plateau to Southern Kaduna, Ondo, Ebonyi, and beyond, communal tensions flare into violence. State police can deploy faster and defuse conflicts before escalation.
8. **Inadequate Trust in the Federal Police**
* Many Nigerians see the Nigeria Police Force as distant, underfunded, and sometimes abusive. State policing allows for rebuilding trust through proximity and accountability.
*Advice to State Governments*
The **36 State Governors** and the **FCT Minister** now carry a heavy but noble responsibility. With state police comes the duty of leadership, integrity, and accountability. To ensure this reform is a blessing and not a curse, I humbly advise the following:
1. **Merit-Based Recruitment** – Recruitment should be transparent, fair, and inclusive, ensuring ethnic and religious diversity. Employment must be based on merit, not political loyalty.
2. **Professional Training** – State police officers must undergo rigorous training in crime prevention, intelligence gathering, human rights, conflict resolution, and technology use.
3. **Adequate Funding** – States must prioritize budgeting for security infrastructure, salaries, and welfare of officers to prevent corruption and low morale.
4. **Accountability Frameworks** – Establish independent oversight bodies to monitor misconduct, investigate abuses, and ensure justice for citizens.
5. **Community Engagement** – Governors should ensure that local traditional rulers, religious leaders, and civil society organizations play advisory roles in state policing.
6. **Separation from Politics** – State police must not be used as a tool for silencing opposition. Governors must rise above partisanship and protect the rights of all citizens.
*Advice to Citizens*
The approval of state police is not the end—it is the beginning of a **new civic duty.** Security is not solely the responsibility of uniformed officers but a **shared responsibility.**
1. **Collaboration with Police** – Citizens should provide timely information about suspicious activities. Silence in the face of crime endangers us all.
2. **Respect for Law** – A society without law is a society without peace. Citizens must obey laws and regulations, even when inconvenient.
3. **Community Policing Mindset** – Every Nigerian should see themselves as a custodian of peace in their street, market, church, mosque, and workplace.
4. **Rejecting Division** – Ethnic and religious manipulation must end. Crime has no tribe, terrorism has no religion, and insecurity spares no political party.
5. **Support for Reform** – Citizens should monitor state police with constructive feedback while appreciating officers who serve with integrity.
*Way Forward for Peace and Harmony*
1. **Technology Integration** – CCTV, drones, biometric databases, and emergency hotlines must be integrated into policing.
2. **Federal-State Synergy** – State police must complement, not compete with, federal security agencies. Joint task forces and intelligence-sharing platforms are vital.
3. **International Collaboration** – Nigeria should seek partnerships in training, intelligence, and technology from allies across Africa, Europe, and America.
4. **Youth Engagement** – Nigeria’s large youth population should be empowered through community volunteer schemes, tech innovation hubs, and civic education to support policing.
5. **Welfare of Officers** – Police officers must be treated with dignity, given decent housing, healthcare, and pension to ensure loyalty and professionalism.
6. **Peace Education** – Schools, religious institutions, and media should promote messages of tolerance, dialogue, and conflict resolution.
Broader National Security Considerations
* **Economic Security** – Insecurity thrives where poverty persists. Creating jobs, boosting agriculture, and supporting small businesses are essential to crime prevention.
* **Judicial Reforms** – Police efforts must be complemented by a justice system that is swift, fair, and incorruptible.
* **Border Security** – With porous borders, illegal arms and bandits infiltrate easily. State police must support immigration and customs in border communities.
* **Diaspora Contribution** – Nigerians abroad, like myself, are willing to contribute expertise, technology, and investment in strengthening local security.
Conclusion
Your Excellency, the approval of state police is more than a policy decision—it is a **turning point in Nigeria’s history.** If implemented with wisdom, transparency, and collective responsibility, it can transform our nation into a safer, stronger, and more united republic.
On behalf of well-meaning Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, I once again thank you for your visionary leadership. May God bless you, bless Nigeria, and guide us toward lasting peace and prosperity.
Yours faithfully,
Olakunle John Olawoye
(Benkay4real)
