By Prof. O. E. Bassey
“Waiting is dangerous without planning and right positioning. Criminals are not waiting for constitutional amendments. Bandits are not waiting for legislative debates. Kidnappers are not waiting for state assemblies. Therefore, states must not wait.”
As Nigeria moves closer to adopting State Police, one reality is clear: insecurity will not pause while we wait for legislation. Criminal networks are expanding, communities are becoming more vulnerable, and governors can no longer rely solely on Abuja for protection.
The Scriptures remind us that “the prudent man foresees danger and hides himself” (Proverbs 22:3). This wisdom applies not only to individuals but also to governments. Proactive leadership is no longer optional; it is necessary for survival. States must rise, plan, act, and build the foundations of their internal security architecture before State Police becomes operational.
Every successful security system rests on intelligence. States can immediately strengthen security by establishing:
Ward-based intelligence volunteers
Community reporting hotlines
Data-driven analysis units
Partnerships with faith, youth, and traditional institutions
Criminals live among people, and communities often see the danger first. Structured intelligence channels allow states to anticipate threats rather than respond after the fact.
Instead of allowing vigilantes and hunters to operate informally, states should:
Train and register volunteers
Equip them with non-lethal tools
Integrate them into local security committees
Well-structured community protection teams deter crime before the State Police arrives. Schools, worship centers, parks, transport corridors, and forest or riverine communities must be fortified, as soft targets are often the first victims of criminal attacks.
Every governor needs more than a traditional Security Adviser. A State Conflict, Peace & Security Adviser is critical, a professional capable of:
Mediating tensions before they escalate
Coordinating state-wide conflict prevention
Building community trust with security agencies
Engaging youths to reduce recruitment into crime networks
Without peace leadership, policing alone will never be enough.
Security is no longer just physical. States should deploy:
Drones and surveillance systems
SOS applications and GPS vehicle tracking
Hotspot digital mapping for high-risk areas
Technology must complement, not replace, disciplined governance and community engagement.
Many violent actors operate across state lines. States must:
Map and secure creeks, forests, inter-state roads, and informal transport routes
Collaborate with neighboring states to close escape corridors for criminals
No society is safe when its youth are idle, and no nation thrives when moral voices are weak. States should fund:
Skills acquisition programs
Drug rehabilitation and counselling
Youth peace ambassadors and interfaith peace councils
When people understand peace, policing becomes more effective. Romans 12:18 reminds us, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
As a medium-term institutional reform, the Community Policing Council (CPC) should be established at the federal level and replicated across states. Its purpose is not operational policing, but oversight, supervision, and coordination:
Accountability: Monitor State Police and local security units to ensure professional, lawful, and non-politicized operations
Community Integration: Serve as the bridge between citizens and law enforcement for intelligence gathering and feedback
Policy Guidance: Advise governments on recruitment standards, training, and inter-agency collaboration
Conflict Prevention: Identify emerging threats early and coordinate with peace leadership to mitigate escalation
Evaluation & Reporting: Assess effectiveness and integrity of State Police operations and recommend reforms
CPCs institutionalize checks and balances, ensuring the State Police functions responsibly, transparently, and efficiently, strengthening public trust and legitimacy.
It is time we Prepare Now, Prevent Crisis Tomorrow. States must have:
Draft policing bills and recruitment guidelines
Training schools and oversight boards
Funding models and human rights protection frameworks
Preparedness today prevents chaos and political manipulation tomorrow. Security is local; preparation is protection. Proactive leadership is the greatest defense states have.
Nigeria will be safer when each state assumes responsibility before the State Police arrives, building a governance-first, intelligence-driven, and community-integrated security system.
Prof. Ofonime Emmanuel Bassey is Peace, Conflict & Security Leadership Consultant | Public Policy Advisor | Public Theologian Advising leaders and institutions across faith, business, education, and government 📧 [email protected] | 📱 +2347075828892 | 🌐 www.nissiinstitute.net
