By Musa Ubandawaki

Former Deputy Governor of Sokoto State and former Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Muktari Shagari, in this interview argues that Nigeria can no longer delay the creation of state police.

He speaks on why the country urgently needs decentralized policing, how funding should be structured, the safeguards required to prevent abuse, and the role state police could play in tackling banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes across the federation among others.

There appears to be growing momentum in the National Assembly towards establishing state police. Beyond granting states policing powers, what critical safeguards must be included in the legislation to ensure success?

There has never been a more appropriate time in Nigeria’s history to establish state police than now. Across the country, insecurity has become a major concern despite the efforts of the Federal Government and the security agencies.

The reality is that our existing security institutions are overstretched. Banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities have spread beyond the North-West and North-East to other regions of the country.

I strongly believe state police has become imperative. Members of the National Assembly must recognise their responsibility to enact laws that protect Nigerians. The proposed legislation must ensure professionalism, accountability and effective collaboration with federal security agencies. Above all, it must allow states to recruit personnel from local communities who understand the terrain, culture and security dynamics of their areas.

One of the major concerns is that governors could misuse state police for political purposes. How do you respond to such fears?

The bigger question is whether we should continue allowing Nigerians to be kidnapped, killed and terrorised while we focus on fears about what might happen in the future. Any governor who uses state police to intimidate political opponents would be acting outside constitutional provisions and democratic norms. Nigerians are politically conscious and would resist such abuse.

We cannot allow hypothetical concerns to delay a critical security reform. The priority now should be protecting lives and property. Safeguards can be built into the law to prevent misuse, but the establishment of state police should not be delayed.

Critics argue that many states already struggle to meet financial obligations. Can governors realistically fund state police?

Funding challenges are real, but they are not insurmountable. Security must be treated as the highest priority of government.

States already receive security votes and allocate resources for security-related activities. We must rethink how those resources are utilised. If governments can fund other programmes, they can certainly prioritize security.

The protection of citizens should come before every other consideration.

Should state police funding come solely from state governments or should there be federal support?

There must be a funding arrangement that guarantees sustainability and transparency.

While security votes can contribute, they may not be sufficient to cover all operational costs. Therefore, there should be synergy between the Federal Government and state governments.

My position is that funding mechanisms should include allocations directly linked to the Federation Account, ensuring that personnel salaries and operational requirements are adequately covered.

Many criminal groups possess sophisticated military grade weapons. How can state police effectively confront such threats?

Several state governments are already supporting security operations by procuring equipment for the military and conventional police formations.

At the same time, authorities must intensify efforts to identify and dismantle the networks supplying weapons to criminal groups. The Federal Government must take decisive action against those responsible for arms trafficking.

Another important advantage of state police is their ability to identify informants within local communities. Because officers will be recruited from the areas they serve, they are more likely to understand local dynamics and expose collaborators aiding criminal elements.

Public trust in law enforcement remains a challenge. Why would state police be different from existing policing structures?

The answer lies in recruitment, training and accountability. State police must recruit qualified and educated personnel. Officers should be properly trained to understand that their duty is to protect citizens, not harass them.

The law should contain clear disciplinary provisions for misconduct. There must also be public sensitisation programmes to foster mutual understanding between communities and security personnel.

If citizens and law enforcement officers work together, trust can be built. Community based policing has worked in the past because officers knew the people they served and communities saw them as partners rather than outsiders.

What measures should be taken to prevent the politicisation of state police?

Governors and political leaders must recognize that public institutions outlive individual administrations.

The legal framework must guarantee operational independence, professionalism and accountability. State police should be equipped and supported to perform their constitutional responsibilities, not serve as political instruments. Any attempt to politicise the institution would undermine its effectiveness and create unnecessary tensions.

Some analysts argue that state police alone cannot solve Nigeria’s security crisis. Do you agree?

Absolutely. State police should not be viewed as a replacement for the military, the police, intelligence agencies or other security institutions.

Rather, it should serve as a complementary structure. Effective security depends on cooperation, intelligence sharing and coordination among all agencies.

The military, police, intelligence services, vigilantes and community based security groups must work together. State police will strengthen this network by providing local knowledge and rapid response capabilities.

The key is synergy. When all security stakeholders collaborate effectively, Nigeria will be in a much stronger position to confront insecurity.

What message would you like to send to lawmakers currently considering the state police bill?

My message is simple: Nigerians are looking to the National Assembly for action.

The security situation demands urgent and bold reforms. Lawmakers should rise above partisan interests and pass legislation that strengthens security and protects citizens.

State police is not a luxury; it is becoming a necessity. The time for debate is gradually giving way to the time for action. Nigeria cannot afford further delays.

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The Chairman of the Governing Board of the South-South Development Commission, SSDC, Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche has urged members of the Board and Management of the Commission to uphold the highest standards of accountability, prudence, transparency, integrity, and professionalism in managing the newly established regional development agency.

Speaking at the Fourth Regular Meeting of the Governing Board of the Commission in Abuja, last week, Nwuche, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, emphasised the importance of teamwork, collective responsibility, institutional loyalty, adherence to due process, and strict compliance with the Commission’s Establishing Act and with extant government regulations and guidelines.

He advised members of the Board and Management to remain focused on the Commission’s mandate and to avoid actions that could undermine its credibility or erode public confidence.

  “We must not do anything that would bring ridicule to this Commission, embarrassment to our region, or disappointment to those who entrusted us with this important national responsibility. We must distinguish ourselves by the quality of our conduct and the standards we uphold in managing the affairs of this Commission. We must also ensure that personal interests and egos do not hinder us from fulfilling the mandate entrusted to us by Mr. President and the people of the South-South region,” he said.

The SSDC Chairman stressed that no single individual possesses all the knowledge, experience, or expertise required to achieve the Commission’s ambitious development objectives.

  “None of us, not myself as Chairman, the Managing Director, the Executive Directors, nor any member of the Board, possesses all that is required to achieve the lofty goals for which this Commission was created.

  “The mandate entrusted to us under the Establishing Act is broad, strategic, and significant. It seeks to accelerate the socio-economic development of the South-South region through investments in critical sectors such as infrastructure, transportation, energy, waterways, agriculture, industry, environmental remediation, and other key areas provided for in the Act.

  “To achieve these objectives, we must remain open-minded, collaborative, and receptive to constructive ideas and contributions from every member of the Board and Management,” he stressed.

The former lawmaker commended members of the Board, the Managing Director, and the Management Team for their efforts in laying the foundation for the Commission’s operations despite the challenges encountered since their inauguration.

While acknowledging receipt of overhead funds and noting that capital allocations are still undergoing the necessary budgetary processes, he urged Management to be proactive and expedite the development of quick-win, medium-term, and long-term project blueprints to ensure immediate implementation once the required funds are released.

Nwuche further reminded members that although President Bola Tinubu announced their appointments on May 8 2025 and subsequently transmitted their names to the Senate for confirmation, which was granted on June 26 2025, the Commission legally came into existence on March 25 2025 when the President assented to the South-South Development Commission Bill.

He noted that this means the Commission has technically been in existence for over a year, with less than three years remaining in the current Board’s statutory tenure.

He continued: “This reality underscores the urgency of our mission and the importance of pursuing our mandate with focus, discipline, diligence, and a strong sense of responsibility. The people of the South-South region expect tangible results, and rightly so.

  “We owe our people and the nation a Commission that is focused, disciplined, transparent, innovative, accountable, and results-oriented.”  

In attendance at the meeting were the following board members and executive management team: Ms Usoro Akpabio – Managing Director/CEO; Barrister Femi Oise Agge -member/acting secretary; Dr Nkereuwem Enong – member; Alhaji Yusuf Rassq Amao – member; and Engr. Chika Chinda – member.

Others are Charles Zuofa – member; Joseph Mmamel – member; Tabitha IIiya Sallah – member; Hon.Bukonla Braimoh – member; Rt. Hon. Larry Odey – member; Dr. Charles Sylvester Emukowhate – member; Amb. Sony Abang – ED Finance; Hon. Marcus Nle Eji – ED Projects; Dr. Timi Alari Ayibatonye – ED Corporate Services; Hon. Joseph Ugheoke – ED Commercial & Environmental Department; and Engr. Aganaba Preye Steven – ED Social & Human Capital Development.

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