Public Skepticism on Nigeria's Police Decentralization

The article, authored by Deji Olatoye, addresses the skepticism surrounding the decentralization of police in Nigeria, driven by increasing violence and crime. Despite an elite consensus among governors from southern and northern states, public doubt persists regarding the effectiveness of state police.

The current system, rooted in a flawed constitutional design, fails to adequately serve citizens, as evidenced by Nigeria's low ranking (124th) on the 2023 World Internal Security Police Index. The article notes that the North West region accounts for 59.6% of kidnappings, while the North Central suffers from farmer-herder conflicts.

The piece argues that the decentralization of police power could close existing loopholes and establish minimum standards for policing. It references the constitutional framework that empowers state assemblies to legislate on security matters, yet highlights the contradiction in the exclusive federal control over police services.

The article concludes by emphasizing the urgent need for a functional police system to address local crises effectively, especially with the 2025 elections approaching.