Security Experts Support State Police for Crime Fighting

Security experts have expressed support for the establishment of state police in Nigeria, advocating for an intelligence-driven approach to effectively combat crime. Speaking at the 2nd International Hybrid Conference 2026 organized by the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Calabar, Rashid Afegbua described the Senate's passage of the state police bill as a historic milestone in Nigeria's security governance architecture.

He stated that the bill represents a bold step towards addressing the nation's growing security challenges. The experts called for proactive, intelligence-led, and technology-driven policing, which includes the establishment of dedicated state cybercrime units and improved investigative support for the police commission.

They urged regular training for officers in digital evidence collection and analysis, as well as stronger collaboration among security agencies to enhance intelligence sharing and coordinated crime response. Keynote speaker Air Vice Marshal Adebayo Gabriel Kehinde identified poor governance, poverty, unemployment, and illiteracy as major drivers of insecurity in Nigeria, advocating for greater investment in intelligence gathering and surveillance systems.