Retired DSP warns state police could worsen Nigeria insecurity sans NPF reform

Retired DSP Adamu M. Muhammad (Rtd) warned that creating state police in Nigeria before fixing the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) could worsen insecurity and threaten national unity. Speaking to DAILY POST after the Senate passed a bill to establish state police nationwide, he said successive governments have weakened the NPF through neglect, poor funding, and transferring core police duties to agencies like the DSS, FRSC and EFCC, while allegedly selling police barracks, land and vehicles without improving the force. He noted many officers buy their own uniforms and equipment, and divisional commands receive little operational funding. Muhammad questioned the logic of forming multiple state‑controlled forces when the federal government has failed to adequately fund the existing national police, warning that state police could be abused by governors for political intimidation, leading to inconsistent standards, jurisdictional clashes and weakened response to terrorism, kidnapping and cybercrime. Instead, he urged the government to prioritize comprehensive reform of the NPF—better funding, improved welfare, modern equipment, expanded community policing, more recruits and stronger oversight—calling a stronger national force the most practical foundation for security, constitutional order and national unity. Citizens should monitor the state‑police bill’s progress, demand transparency in police funding reforms, and consider how policing changes affect their safety and political rights.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/29/state-police-bill-may-worsen-insecurity-security-expert-warns/