Human rights warn state police could worsen ethnic divides, political persecution
Comrade A.A. Haruna Ayagi, Chairman of the Coalition of International Human Rights Organisations in Kano State, warned that establishing state police could deepen ethnic divisions, enable political persecution of opponents, and create jurisdictional conflicts between federal and state security agencies. Speaking to DAILY POST earlier today, Ayagi argued Nigeria hasn't overcome existing ethnic and security challenges, and state-controlled police might apply justice based on local customs rather than national standards.
His warning comes after the Senate passed the State Police Bill on Wednesday, reigniting national debate over decentralised policing. Ayagi expressed concern that governors could misuse state police to suppress dissent and intimidate opposition figures, particularly during elections, to consolidate power. He also warned of frequent jurisdictional clashes where state police arrests might be challenged by federal authorities as exceeding their authority, undermining effective law enforcement nationwide.
Ayagi added that prioritising state police could demoralise existing community security groups like vigilante units and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), whose members might feel their contributions are devalued. He cautioned that this shift could discourage voluntary security participation at the grassroots level, potentially weakening community-based safety structures that currently complement formal policing.
Given these specific concerns about ethnic tensions, political misuse, and inter-agency conflicts, how should your state balance the need for effective local security with safeguards against potential abuses of decentralised police power?