Nigeria’s centralised security system has been struggling to keep up with the escalating insecurity in the country. Despite numerous promises, violent attacks, banditry, kidnappings, and communal clashes continue to wreak havoc, claiming lives and ruining livelihoods across the nation. The current federal security framework’s inability to effectively tackle local threats has fueled the call for a fresh approach to policing.
The case of Benue State, for instance, vividly illustrates this failure. For over 15 years, attacks allegedly carried out by armed herders have persisted, leaving a trail of devastation. Thousands of innocent farmers have lost their lives, many others have endured life-altering injuries, including amputations, and hundreds of thousands have been forced to flee their ancestral homes. Entire communities have been abandoned, with farms left to rot and dreams shattered.
The humanitarian fallout goes far beyond the tragic loss of life. Farming, which is the lifewire of Benue’s economy, has been thrown into chaos. Schools in affected areas have closed their doors, health services have been crippled, places of worship stand empty, and cultural activities have come to a halt. Families have lost their means of survival, and many women and children have been pushed into exploitative labour and other desperate measures to stay alive.
Public trust in federal security agencies has been steadily declining. In many of the impacted communities, residents express frustration, claiming that security personnel often show up only after the attacks have occurred or fail to prevent the ongoing violence. This issue gained national attention when former Chief of Army Staff and former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (retd), alleged that some members of the armed forces were colluding with the attackers, urging Nigerians to seek lawful ways to defend themselves.
Whether or not one fully agrees with his viewpoint, it’s clear that his comments resonate with the growing frustration felt by millions of Nigerians.
So, it’s no surprise that the call for state police is getting louder. Many Nigerians feel that governors, who are meant to be the chief security officers of their states, should have the authority to manage security forces that can quickly respond to local issues. After all, security challenges vary from one state to another, and policing should reflect those unique circumstances.
While it is commendable that the Federal Government is looking to expand the Nigerian Army and bring in more personnel, this alone won’t fix the country’s security crisis. Simply increasing troop numbers without reforming the policing structure perpetuates a system that many believe has already failed to deliver the results needed. Nigeria’s security issues aren’t just about having more people; they also involve being close to the communities, gathering intelligence, ensuring accountability, and understanding the local landscape and cultures.
The drawbacks of a centralised policing system really show up when it comes to enforcing state laws. States that have put anti-open grazing laws in place often struggle to enforce them effectively because the policing agencies are still under federal control. This disconnect undermines law enforcement, breeds public distrust, and allows conflicts to grow.
It’s high time to push for real security reforms. Establishing state police, with clear constitutional protections, professional standards, and robust oversight to prevent misuse, would bring law enforcement closer to communities and improve intelligence-driven policing. It would also empower states to take more responsibility for safeguarding lives and property, while still working alongside federal security agencies.
If the Federal Government is genuinely serious about tackling insecurity, it needs to go beyond just expanding current institutions and really focus on structural reforms. Allowing states the constitutional power to create and manage their own police forces is not just a political idea anymore; it has become a crucial need for the nation.
For Nigeria to achieve lasting peace and security, it needs a policing system that understands local issues, responds quickly, and is accountable to the communities it serves.
