Elder statesman Anabs Sara-Igbe has cautioned the federal government against allowing influential individuals to take control of any future state police structure in Nigeria, warning that such a development could threaten citizens’ rights and undermine public safety.
Speaking during a discussion in Port Harcourt, Sara-Igbe said that while the creation of state police could help address the country’s growing security challenges, strong safeguards must be put in place to prevent abuse of power by political actors.
He noted that Nigeria is currently facing a high level of crime and insecurity, adding that adopting multiple levels of policing could strengthen law enforcement and improve security operations. According to him, the police system should be moved from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list in the constitution, a change that would allow both federal and state authorities to operate their own policing structures.
Sara-Igbe explained that several countries operate multi-level policing systems where local or regional authorities work alongside national police forces to maintain law and order. He argued that such arrangements often make security operations more effective because local authorities have better knowledge of their communities.
However, he warned that the establishment of state police could become problematic if political leaders misuse the structure for personal or political interests. According to him, some leaders might attempt to control police officers and influence arrests, which could lead to intimidation of political opponents and ordinary citizens.
The elder statesman also emphasized the importance of community participation in tackling crime. He said local residents often understand their environment better than outsiders and can assist security agencies by providing valuable intelligence.
Sara-Igbe stressed that intelligence gathering and monitoring systems are essential for combating criminal activities effectively. He urged the government to ensure that any new policing framework prioritizes the protection of citizens and avoids creating opportunities for political manipulation.
According to him, while there is nothing wrong with removing policing from the exclusive list, authorities must ensure that individuals driven by power do not hijack the proposed state police structure.See_More…