The Presidency has moved to guard against the abuse of the proposed state police by governors and other public office holders, promising a system designed to withstand personal and political influence.
Nnadubem Moghalu, Secretary of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja while delivering the lead paper at the second Annual Distinguished Parliamentarian Lecture organised by the House of Representatives Press Corps.
The lecture, held at the National Assembly Library Auditorium, was themed, “The Imperative of State Police: Securing Communities, Strengthening Federalism.”
Moghalu said fears that state police could be turned into instruments of political persecution had been considered in drafting the proposed National Policing Bill.
He said the framework would clearly define the responsibilities of the federal and state police, introduce accountability measures and ensure that the institutions enforcing the rules have the capacity to do so.
“We are trying to build a system that is as immune to the personal foibles of individuals as possible,” Moghalu said.
He stressed that the real test of the reform would be whether ordinary Nigerians could obtain police protection regardless of their political affiliation, social status or connections.
Moghalu also argued that Nigeria’s centralised policing structure had become overstretched, making decentralisation necessary to improve security response at the community level.
Nigeria has about 380,000 police officers serving a population of more than 200 million. But Moghalu noted that a large number are assigned to special protection and administrative duties, leaving a much smaller number for conventional policing.
Under the proposed dual-policing arrangement, state police would handle offences within their respective territories, while the Federal Police would retain responsibility for crimes that cross state boundaries or require national coordination.
Human trafficking, cybercrime and offences with international dimensions would remain among matters under federal jurisdiction.
Moghalu said technology would also be critical in ensuring criminals could not escape justice simply by moving from one state to another.
On funding, he said states would have to demonstrate their commitment to security by adequately supporting their police structures.
“You fund what you prioritise,” he said, noting that governors already spend substantial resources assisting federal security agencies operating in their states.
Meanwhile, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, commended the House Press Corps for providing a platform for debate on major national issues.
Abbas, represented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Akin Rotimi, urged the media to assess legislation on the basis of evidence, principles and its likely consequences rather than partisan considerations.
Moghalu also disclosed that Edo, Oyo, Osun and Rivers had so far approved the constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police.
The National Assembly had transmitted the bill to the 36 state Houses of Assembly for consideration as part of the constitutional alteration process.
However, the proposal still needs the approval of at least 24 of the 36 state Houses of Assembly before it can proceed under the constitutional amendment process. With four states currently on board, 20 more assemblies must approve the measure for the required threshold to be reached.
