society
Decentralizing Policing in Nigeria: The Urgent Case for State-Controlled Law Enforcement
Decentralizing Policing in Nigeria: The Urgent Case for State-Controlled Law Enforcement
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | For Sahara Weekly NG
For decades, Nigeria has endured the consequences of an overstretched, inefficient and highly politicized central policing system. The result? Catastrophic. Rising insecurity, emboldened terrorists, banditry and unchecked violence have ravaged nearly every corner of the country. From the blood-soaked fields of Zamfara to the kidnapping corridors of the South-East and the cult-infested creeks of the Niger Delta, the evidence is irrefutable: centralized policing has failed Nigerians.
Despite its glaring dysfunction, the idea of devolving police powers to state governments remains one of Nigeria’s most controversial debates. Detractors argue that state police may be abused by governors as political thugs, but that’s a distraction from the real question: Do states in Nigeria currently have the financial and structural capacity to run police forces that are accountable, professional and effective; not as political weapons but as agents of justice and peace?
Central Policing: A Colonial Relic Turned Burden
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), with about 370,000 officers serving over 220 million people, has one of the worst police-to-citizen ratios in the world. According to United Nations standards, a functional ratio is 1 officer to every 450 citizens. Nigeria languishes at roughly 1:600, and that’s before factoring in the lopsided deployment of personnel.
Shockingly, more than 40% of officers are assigned to VIP protection (guarding politicians, their families and business elites) while ordinary Nigerians are left defenceless against armed robbers, kidnappers and insurgents.
This structure is not accidental; it is a colonial legacy. As Professor Jibrin Ibrahim of the Centre for Democracy and Development aptly puts it:
“The Nigerian police are not trained to serve the people. They are trained to protect the state from the people.”
That mindset still dominates. The NPF remains a blunt, top-down instrument of coercion, not community safety. From the excesses of SARS to police complicity during elections, the central police system has consistently shown that it is out of touch and out of control.
The Case for State Policing: Security Must Be Local
Nigeria is a federation on paper but a unitary dictatorship in practice, especially regarding policing. With over 250 ethnic groups, multiple languages and complex regional dynamics, a one-size-fits-all federal police force cannot address the security needs of all states.
Countries like the United States, India, Canada and Germany, all federal in structure, operate decentralized policing models. In the U.S., over 90% of law enforcement is handled by state, county or municipal agencies and not Washington, D.C.
Nigeria has already seen states respond to security failures by creating regional outfits: Amotekun (South-West), Ebube Agu (South-East), Hisbah (North) and others. These are clear expressions of popular no-confidence votes in the federal police. But these outfits remain legally weak and operationally constrained without constitutional backing.
What Nigeria needs now is not just more vigilante groups but a legal and constitutional framework that allows states to form and manage professional, community-embedded police services.
Can States Afford State Police? The Numbers Don’t Lie
One of the most common arguments against state policing is financial incapacity. This argument is misleading and frankly, LAZY.
According to BudgIT and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS):
Lagos State generates over ₦400 billion annually in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) which is more than some African countries.
Rivers, Ogun, Delta and Kaduna States each generate over ₦50 billion annually.
25 states generate more than ₦10 billion annually.
So why do we say they “cannot afford” state policing? The issue isn’t capacity, it’s priority and accountability.
If states can build multi-billion-naira airports, mega flyovers and luxurious government houses, surely they can fund training, equipment and welfare for 5,000 to 10,000 well-trained state officers.
In 2024, the federal government allocated over ₦1.3 trillion to police and security services. Yet, most rural communities remain vulnerable. A fraction of that, used efficiently by states, can yield better results. Moreover, states could seek matching grants or partnerships with private and international donors to strengthen their security apparatus.
The Fear of Abuse: A Convenient Excuse
A major objection to state policing is the potential for abuse by state governors. But let’s be clear: the federal police are not immune to abuse. SARS was a federal outfit, yet it became synonymous with torture, extrajudicial killings and robbery.
During the 2023 general elections, federal police were accused of colluding with political parties to suppress opposition and disenfranchise voters. In Lagos, Rivers and Kano, shocking videos of police inaction and collaboration with thugs circulated widely.
The abuse argument is not an argument against decentralization; it is an argument for institutional reform.
A properly crafted State Police Act must include:
Independent oversight commissions
Auditable budgets and public transparency
Cross-border collaboration to prevent jurisdictional loopholes
Community-based recruitment
Strict human rights and use-of-force protocols
National benchmarks for training and ethics
The Federal Government’s role should evolve into providing technical support, forensic labs and inter-state crime coordination not micromanaging state security from Abuja.
Political Bottlenecks: The Elephant in the Room
Why, despite mounting evidence, has Nigeria failed to implement state policing?
Politics.
Centralized policing is a political weapon. Whoever controls the federal police controls elections, opposition suppression and even media narratives. That is why the ruling class is reluctant to devolve power.
In 2021, the National Assembly blocked key constitutional amendments that would have allowed states to establish their own police forces. Why? Because the party in power benefits from centralized force.
As Wole Soyinka warned:
“There’s no way we can continue along this unitarist line. It’s a logical contradiction. You can’t continue with this crude, centralist mindset and expect safety.”
State governors (especially in the South) must form a united front to lobby for this constitutional change. This will require sacrificing political capital, building coalitions across party lines and directly engaging the Nigerian public.
A National Crossroads: Reform or Ruin
Insecurity in Nigeria is no longer an abstract debate, it is an existential crisis. Farmers are abandoning fields. Children cannot go to school. Businesses are closing. Millions live under the daily threat of violence, extortion and death.
We must not allow political cowardice or elite selfishness to deny Nigerians the right to safety.
A decentralized police system is not a luxury; it is a necessity for national survival. Every state should have the constitutional authority, financial framework and legal support to secure its people.
It is time to break free from colonial chains and build a policing system that reflects our federal reality, respects our diversity and protects every Nigerian; rich, middle-class or poor, north, east or south, Muslim, Christian or Pagans.
The time for half-measures has passed.
The time to decentralize is now.
society
FROM GLOBAL IMPACT TO NATIONAL SERVICE: DR. PRINCESS CHETACHI NWOGA-NWOGA-ECTON ACCEPTS CALL TO SERVE OWERRI ZONE
FROM GLOBAL IMPACT TO NATIONAL SERVICE: DR. PRINCESS CHETACHI NWOGA-NWOGA-ECTON ACCEPTS CALL TO SERVE OWERRI ZONE
In a defining moment that has electrified the political landscape of Imo State, globally acclaimed philanthropist, Dr. Princess Chetachi Nwoga-Ecton, has officially accepted the clarion call of Owerri Zone youths to contest for the Senate seat in the forthcoming general elections.
Speaking from the United States, where she continues to advance her humanitarian engagements, Dr. Nwoga-Ecton made her position known in a heartfelt and resolute address that has since resonated across communities at home and in the diaspora.
A distinguished recipient of the prestigious Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award under the administration of Joe Biden, Dr. Nwoga-Ecton has built a legacy rooted in compassion, service, and global impact.
As the Founder of the When In Need Foundation, she has transformed countless lives through initiatives focused on empowerment, healthcare, education, and social welfare.
Beyond her widely recognized humanitarian strides, she is also a passionate and consistent advocate of agriculture. For many years, Dr. Nwoga-Ecton has championed farming as a tool for economic growth and food security, personally supporting farmers across several local governments in Imo State.
Through her initiatives, she has distributed seedlings to farmers, helping to boost local agricultural productivity and encourage sustainable livelihoods.
Her impact is equally profound among widows and women, whom she has continually supported through financial assistance and structured skills acquisition programs.
These empowerment efforts have enabled countless women to regain economic independence, rebuild their lives, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Responding to the persistent and passionate agitation by Owerri Zone youths, she declared:
“After deep reflection, consultations, and prayers, I have decided to humbly accept the call of our vibrant and courageous youths to serve.
This is not a personal ambition, but a collective mission — a responsibility to represent, to uplift, and to deliver purposeful leadership to our people.”
Her acceptance has been met with overwhelming jubilation, especially among young people who have long advocated for credible, people-oriented representation.
For many, her decision signals the dawn of a new era — one anchored on integrity, inclusiveness, and visionary leadership.
Dr. Nwoga-Ecton emphasized that her transition from global humanitarian service to active political participation is a natural extension of her lifelong commitment to humanity:
“Service knows no boundaries.
Whether on the global stage or within our communities, the goal remains the same — to create opportunities, restore hope, and build a future that works for everyone.
Owerri Zone deserves a strong, compassionate voice at the Senate, and I am ready to answer that call.”
Political analysts have described her entry into the race as a game-changer, citing her international exposure, proven track record, and deep grassroots connection as key strengths that set her apart.
For the youths of Owerri Zone, their voices have not only been heard — they have been answered.
And in Dr. Princess Chetachi Nwoga-Ecton, they see not just a candidate, but a symbol of hope, a vessel of change, and a leader ready to chart a new course for the future.
Dr. Chris Oko Odey
Abuja.
The award she received from the US is the presidential lifetime achievement award not award of excellence please take note before publishing
STILL ON DELE MOMODU by Chief Femi Fani-Kayode
I saw Dele Momodu’s response to my article on him & was amused.
I tried to be polite & restrained in that write up & I didn’t realise that it would hurt him so deeply. Yet for that I offer no apology.
I said he sounded tired & worne in his interview with Seun Okinbaloye but from his response today it is clear that he is now completely unhinged.
He has blown his gasket & his reaction is rooted more in emotion than it is in logic.
Frankly I feel sorry for him because it is clear that he is fighting a lost cause, he is badly diminished & he is now a shadow of his former self.
For Bobby Dee the glory days are certainly over & I suspect that by 2027 when Tinubu emerges victorious he will crawl back into the hole that he originally came from.
Perhaps at that time he will go back to taking pictures of former Governor Nyesom Wike, the Adeleke’s & other prominent figures for a living & shining their shoes.
Playing clips of things that I said about President Tinubu 11 years ago when I was in the then opposition & when I led the media section of President Jonathan’s presidential campaign organisation will not help him to get rid of the stench of faeces that he has immersed himself in today & neither does it derogate from the fact that he was speaking rubbish when he said Tinubu is a dictator.
Unlike others I will never deny what I have said in the past about Tinubu or anyone else but at least I had the decency & courage to admit that I was wrong & ever since I left the then opposition and joined the APC in 2021 I have not looked back.
Not only did I fight for Tinubu in 2023 during the presidential campaign but I have remained loyal & committed to him & his cause since then and I have no apology for that either.
Unlike Dele I did not benefit from him for close to 40 years, eat from his plate, collect handouts from him, stay in his house, claim to be his brother and yet refuse to support him in achieving his dream of becoming President.
Bobby Dee’s nose is so far up the posterior of those he is now slaving for that he forgot to mention the fact that every single one of them, at some point or the other in their sorry lives & career, have not only changed political parties several times over but have also opposed Tinubu bitterly & even more vehemently than I ever did only to go back & later re-align with him.
I do not begrudge them or blame them for that because that is the nature of politics all over the world.
There are no permanent friends or enemies but only permanent interests and in my view it is in the interest of Nigeria that Tinubu continues the reforms that he started in 2023 after he was elected President.
It is also my view that Nigeria must never fall into the hands of the conglomeration of court jesters, sorry clowns & motely crew of insufferable jokers that Dele is now speaking, slaving & fronting for.
I will still be gentle with my old friend because I have a soft spot for him but if he ever crosses the line with me again I will stop being so restrained.
He does not have the stomach for a real fight because he is vain and thin-skinned. He also has an over- inflated opinion of himself and a huge ego.
These are weaknesses in this game and not strengths and as we get closer to the presidential campaign he will learn this the hard way.
Meanwhile he should stay in his lane otherwise I will give him plenty to write about.
For him to compare Tinubu to Abacha was wrong and if he was anything like the dictator that Dele claims he is both Dele and those he speaks for today would either be dead or in jail.
He should count himself lucky that our President is a democrat and not a monster.
Dele’s lies, duplicity & shameless perfidy have finally been exposed & are as obvious & glaring as his very large stomach.
I advise him to do some press ups & go jogging because unlike before I will no longer remain silent as he & his friends throw mud at our President.
Game on!
(FFK)
society
OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture: Sheikh Jamiu Asanbe Urges Muslims to Avoid Showboating in Worship
OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture: Sheikh Jamiu Asanbe Urges Muslims to Avoid Showboating in Worship.
The Chief Imam of Agelete Central Mosque, Ikoyi Lagos, Alhaji Jamiu Asanbe, has urged Muslims to remain sincere in their acts of worship and avoid the temptation of seeking public praise for good deeds.
The respected Islamic scholar gave this admonition while delivering a lecture at the OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture, held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, in Lagos.
Speaking on the importance of sincerity in Islam, Sheikh Asanbe cautioned Muslim faithful against what he described as “showboating” — the practice of performing charitable acts or religious duties merely to gain recognition or admiration from others.
According to him, every act of worship in Islam must be done purely for the sake of Almighty Allah.
He explained that while acts such as prayer, fasting, and charity are fundamental pillars of faith, their true value lies in the intention behind them.
The cleric therefore encouraged Muslims to remain genuine in their devotion and avoid mixing their faith with the desire for worldly praise or attention.
Sheikh Asanbe also reminded the faithful that the holy month of Ramadan presents a unique opportunity for spiritual renewal. He urged believers to increase acts of generosity, particularly by supporting the needy, vulnerable members of society, and orphans.
Earlier in her remarks, the Convener of the Ramadan Lecture and CEO of OWUTU FM, Hajia Adejoke Muyibat Balogun, encouraged attendees to use the sacred month as a time for reflection, self-improvement, and community development.
She described the lecture theme as carefully selected to promote spirituality, strengthen faith, and encourage peaceful coexistence within the community.
Balogun expressed appreciation to the numerous guests and supporters who attended the event, noting that their presence reflected the strong bond within the community.
She further reaffirmed OWUTU FM’s commitment to sustaining the annual Ramadan Lecture, praying for Allah’s continued guidance and mercy in the years ahead.
The 2026 edition of the Ramadan Lecture attracted dignitaries and representatives from various organisations including Uzamot Communications, Okutex Fabrics, and the Yeye Asiwaju of Ojota Kingdom.
The event also featured engaging activities such as a quiz competition, where winners were presented with gifts. In the spirit of Ramadan, iftar meals were shared with guests, reinforcing the values of unity, generosity, and compassion that define the holy month.
Through initiatives like this, OWUTU FM continues to play a vital role in promoting faith-based dialogue, community engagement, and social harmony.
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