State police dangerous, can’t end Nigeria’s security challenges – IHRC

The International Human Rights Commission – Relief Fund Trust (IHRC–RFT) has said that the proposed establishment of state police will not provide a comprehensive solution to Nigeria’s security challenges.

In a statement signed by its Country Director, Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu, the organisation said it had taken note of recent remarks by the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, who stated that state police will become a reality.

While acknowledging the IGP’s position, the commission said; “from a security and human rights perspective, we maintain that the establishment of State Police will not constitute a comprehensive solution to Nigeria’s security challenges.”

The group pointed to Section 214(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which provides for a single national police structure in order to preserve unity and institutional neutrality.

According to the commission, decentralising police powers in Nigeria’s sensitive political environment could lead to several risks, including the use of police structures to suppress political opposition.

“The creation of state police could lead to the misuse of security agencies against political opponents, encourage ethnic or sectional bias in law enforcement, expose the inability of many states to properly fund and maintain professional forces, and also weaken intelligence sharing and coordination.”

The organisation also cited Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which affirms the right to life and security of person.

The commission further called for an end to what it described as the politicisation of security matters in the country.

“We strongly call for an end to the politicization of security matters in Nigeria. If security continues to be mixed with partisan interests, sustainable peace and justice will remain unattainable,” the statement said.

“Security must serve the nation as a whole, not political parties or sectional interests. Security reform must be constitutional, rights-centered, professional, and forward-looking.”

State police dangerous, can’t end Nigeria’s security challenges – IHRC