Nigeria’s policing system is at a crossroads. While the decentralization of police is proposed to combat rising insecurity, including kidnapping and terrorism, a critical question looms: can we trust state governors with this power?
The current political landscape, rife with morally bankrupt individuals, raises concerns about the potential misuse of police to silence political opposition. Imagine state assemblies led by puppets, unable to effectively regulate police actions when dictated by governors.
We’ve already seen alarming reports of police involvement in election malpractice. Without stripping governors of their immunity, this troubling trend could continue unchecked.
Granting state governors the power to deploy security officials, combined with their existing immunity, creates a dangerous recipe for abuse. While state police might aid in fighting insecurity, unchecked power could lead to 36 versions of political repression across the nation.
Nigeria must avoid trading federal abuse for state-sponsored impunity. The path forward requires not just decentralization, but robust oversight and accountability mechanisms to ensure security forces serve the people, not partisan interests.
