Alleged Inadequacies of Federal Law Enforcement Lead to Increased State Police Interventions, Says Okiro

Mike Okiro, a former Inspector-General of Police, has emphasized that the Nigeria Police Force is struggling with inadequate funding, insufficient staffing, and a lack of equipment, which he believes is driving the demand for state police.

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Okiro expressed these views during an appearance on Channels Television's Politics Today on Monday, where he described the Nigerian police as "badly disorganised, disenchanted, demoralised, unstaffed, ill-equipped, ill-trained".

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According to Okiro, proper equipment would render the concept of state police unnecessary, implying that the root of the issue lies in the force's resources rather than its structure.

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Okiro stressed that funding is the primary problem plaguing the force, stating "Funding is a major problem" and "People talk about state police because federal police have failed".

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He further highlighted the deplorable state of police infrastructure nationwide, noting that manpower shortages have led to the closure of many police stations, summarizing the situation as "Funding. Poorly staffed. Most police stations are closed down. No manpower".

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Okiro's comments come at a time when the national debate over establishing state police is gaining momentum, following the National Assembly's passage of a State Police Bill.

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The proposal has elicited mixed reactions from public figures, including human rights lawyer Femi Falana, who warned that state police may not address Nigeria's insecurity unless underlying issues like unemployment are tackled.

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Labour Party's 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has also urged the Federal Government to postpone implementation of state police until after the 2027 general election, citing concerns that it could be misused against political opponents.

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Okiro has previously weighed in on the debate, at times supporting the decentralization of policing while also cautioning that Nigeria may not be ready for 36 separate state police forces, suggesting a regional or geopolitical zone-based model as a potential compromise.