Police as defined by Oxford Concise Dictionary is a civil force responsible for the prevention and detection of crime and the maintenance of public order.
Nigeria though supposedly a Federal State is operating a form Federation that is unique to us. One issue that is engaging stakeholders of the Nigerian project is that of the creation of state police, or the devolution of the present police structure, which is central controlled by the government to that which will be controlled by each state.
The Controversy and the Agitation:
The states are making these agitations owning to the fact that the constitution defines as the chief security of the state the Governor of the state, yet they get frustrated when police commissioners in their jurisdiction insist on getting instructions from Abuja before carrying out certain instructions. At some other times some Governors complain that crimes suspects are been moved from the state where the crime was committed to Abuja, where some of them get freed and allowed to move about freely, planning other crimes.
Those who have visited other climes and have seen how state police are been run in other countries like the United States and United Kingdom, wonder why we can’t replicate such system, after all we are modelling our countries in their fashion.
There are sometimes that the performance of the police lives much to be desired, some Governors with better ideas on managing security vis-à-vis the police are handicapped as they cannot make direct inputs, for which they would have made, if the police were under their direct control.
The Implication:
Change they say is the one thing that is constant in life, yet change is something we seldom accept easily. We will rather resist change, as it often unsettles us from a usual to a new position. Even a prisoner, who has gotten use to the prison wall, may find freedom initially, not too appealing.
Our country for a long time is been police by a centrally controlled police structure, many young Nigerians are only familiar with that kind of structure, so it looks awkward, unsettling that equation.
There is the fear of abuse by the various state Governors, who will be in complete control of the police in their state. As much as the present day police structure tries to dispense of Law enforcement and order without fear or favour, there have been accusations from many quarters that their loyalty is skew to the Federal Government.
Former Inspector Generals of Police were unanimous in their rejection of the idea of state Police.
One issue some of the state Governors clamouring for state Police are not considering apart from the glamour and power they are seeking to acquire is the cost implication of running a State Police. Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State is one of the agitators of the state police. Currently the state has a civil service population of about 20000. The current verification of the actual number of the civil servants puts the figure slightly below, less about 3000. The workers at the Local Government Level have been on strike for non-implementation of the N18000 national minimum wage, which the state has failed to implement. Primary schools pupils could not write First School leaving certificate, so may not gain admission to Junior Secondary one, the pupils have no date for resumption as their teachers are still on strike, due to non-implementation of approve salary structure and payment as at when due.
Considering all the above issues as its relate to Plateau state alone, one will wonder if the state is to have additional 10000-15000 additional names on its payroll, which is the minimum expected numbers of the rank and file that should appropriately police the state. Considering the current minimum wage of paid to the Nigerian Police which is far above the national minimum wage that Governor Jang thus far has failed to implement, one can only wonder where the magic wand will turn to, to raise the financial implication.
At the end of the day, we will have a police structure that earns different salary, some of the police will be well equipped, others will be under equipped, some will be well trained, others will be under trained and so many such differences.
The way forward:
At a moment like this in the history of our nation, any action that will not ensure the survival of the Nigerian federation which seeks to breeds division must be treated with wisdom. Some seemingly innocent actions of today could be our undoing tomorrow. It is the opinion of the writer, that why we are dealing and struggling with Boko Haram today is because yesterday we allowed Sharia to be first implemented in one state; against the clear provisions of our Constitution that declares Nigeria as a secular state.
Recently, it was in the news that the Nigerian Police is considering recruiting about 380000 additional personnel’s into its ranks and file. This is to address the gaps in the number required to adequately police that country, which is a good development. That will certainly help in policing the nation.
The writer will also recommend that the President considers given additional powers of control to state Governors over the Police Commissioners’ domiciled in the various state. This is to give vent to the position of the Chief Security Officer of the state status, as provided by our Constitution.
Though the Governors should not be allowed to determined who is posted to their State as Police Commissioner, but if after staying in the state for some time and the state Governor Feels uncomfortable with the operations of a Commissioner posted to his state, such a Governor should complain directly to the President. The President and the Governor should address the issues or differences as deem appropriate in their opinion after such consultation. In the event where it is known that there exist a falling-out between a Governor and the President over certain issues, wisdom demands that the state Governor be more proactive, police Commissioners’ are human beings and they are Nigerians.
It is also very important that crime suspects, who committed crimes in a given state, should not be moved to Abuja from the state they are allege to have committed the crimes. In the case of Plateau State, that is one major complain of the State Government in the wake of instability in the state. “Suspects are arrested in the state, instead of been tried in the state, they are being moved to Abuja, and sooner or later they are being let loose into the society, free of charge.” Governor Jang. Crimes and criminalities committed within the jurisdiction of a state command should be dispense with in that jurisdiction, following laid down procedure in our jurisprudence.
Above all the Police must be allowed to carry out their duties without hindrance, a situation where certain individuals or group are treated as sacred cows breeds discord and contempt.
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