APPRAISING THEMATIC ISSUES OF STATE POLICE IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The rising cases of insecurity in the country has gotten to an alarming rate and the search for a permanent solution
to safe guard lives and property has thrown to the front burner of our national discourse the need for state police. The
birth of state police could be likened to the long awaited child of destiny that will be herald by most citizens who have
been yearning for the most appropriate means to have their lives and properties secured. It is no longer news that
most security breaches that occurred due to lapses in security architecture were avoidable. It is a given that Nigeria
is under policed, hence the obvious call for the decentralization of the Nigeria police force; while the wait for a practical
solution to insecurity continues, the citizens have learned to brace up with this stack reality of living life with their
hands in their mouth, hoping that the clarion call for the federal government to accede to state police is yielded to
amidst its challenges. One of the draw-back, has been that it would be under the state governor’s control and be
clouded with political influence against their perceived enemies. This article takes a look at issues with state police,
enabling statutes, comparative analysis of what is tenable in other clime and mode of appointment that would
checkmate abuses of this new bride. The article draws data from primary and secondary sources which include’s the
authors’ close observations of events in Nigeria. Findings and recommendations were also made. It is hoped that this
article would be able to within the scope of its analysis offer pragmatic and insightful solutions.