A retired Commissioner of Police, Balarabe Sule, has expressed concerns about the financial sustainability of the proposed state police system, warning that many states may lack the resources required to effectively fund and maintain their own police forces.

Sule made the remarks in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar while reacting to the Senate’s passage of the bill seeking the establishment of state police across the federation.

While acknowledging the potential benefits of decentralised policing in tackling insecurity and reducing crime, Sule questioned whether Nigeria is adequately prepared for the transition to a state policing structure.

The former police commissioner said significant disparities in economic strength and resource availability among states could affect the effectiveness of state police formations across the country.

According to him, several states may struggle to provide the necessary equipment, logistics and welfare packages required for police personnel to perform effectively.

“I can very well tell you that many states will not have the resources to equip and pay remuneration for those to be employed to function effectively,” Sule said.

He warned that inadequate salaries and poor welfare conditions could expose officers to corruption and compromise the integrity of the proposed system.

“You don’t expect an officer who is not well paid and equipped to perform optimally.

This is where corruption will arise. Definitely, when you don’t pay them well and as at when due, they will be exposed to corruption,” he added.

Sule also expressed concerns over the possibility of political interference, noting that state police could be vulnerable to abuse by governors despite the checks and balances that may be put in place.

“Again, I also fear that state police will be subject to abuse by governors who pay them irrespective of the checks and balances,” he said.

The retired police chief further cautioned that the establishment of separate police structures across states could lead to inconsistencies in operational standards, enforcement procedures and policing practices nationwide.

Despite his reservations, Sule acknowledged that state police could offer advantages in crime prevention and community policing due to officers’ familiarity with their local environments.

He explained that officers recruited from their states of origin would likely possess a better understanding of local communities, residents and crime patterns.

“In your locality, you practically know everyone and where crimes are likely to be committed,” he said, adding that recruitment would likely favour indigenous residents who are familiar with the terrain.

However, Sule maintained that Nigeria may not yet be sufficiently prepared to operate a state policing system successfully.

“Having said this, I believe that Nigeria is not yet ripe for state police simply for the fact that we are not as exposed as the countries where this is practiced,” he stated.

His comments come after the Senate on Wednesday passed the executive bill seeking the creation of state police, marking a major step in Nigeria’s long-standing debate on decentralising policing and strengthening security across the country.

The bill, transmitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu as part of broader security sector reforms, proposes a dual policing framework comprising a Federal Police Service and State Police Services.

Under the proposed legislation, state governors would have the authority to appoint Commissioners of Police for their respective states, subject to confirmation by state Houses of Assembly and compliance with national minimum standards to be prescribed by the National Assembly.

The bill is expected to undergo further legislative processes before it can become law.