Former Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar warned that Nigeria is not yet ready for state policing, given the myriad challenges it currently faces. Speaking at the 20th Centre for Values in Leadership annual lecture and international symposium—titled “Insecurity, State Legitimacy and Human Progress in Nigeria”—held in Lagos on Monday, Abubakar emphasized that a responsible and committed political leadership is a prerequisite for any discussion of a state police force. “No country enjoys the best security without first reforming and restructuring its police,” he said, noting that many Arab nations function as police states because the law is respected. He contrasted this with Nigeria, where “everybody is blowing sirens on the road” and “mobile police and military officers” are commonplace. Referring to the 1980s, he observed that past challenges differ from today’s, and added that an irresponsible governor would render a state police ineffective. Consequently, he concluded that Nigeria is not mature enough for state policing amid its current national challenges.
Abubakar also highlighted the welfare of police personnel, calling for better conditions and re‑equipping of officers. “Welfare is a key issue. The condition of barracks for security operatives is not good enough, yet we expect them to function effectively,” he asserted. He urged a comprehensive overhaul of the security forces—restructuring, retraining, and reorganization—to ensure they serve their intended purpose, noting that each agency now appears to work in its own interest.
Former Commander of the Special Task Force Operation Safe Haven, Major General Henry Ayoola, echoed concerns about the nation’s insecurity, describing it as neither accidental nor incidental. “Something brought us to this point,” he said, stressing the need to examine the causes in order to find solutions. Ayoola criticized Nigerian leadership for prioritizing personal gain over public service and called for greater accountability. He urged citizens to pressure leaders to fulfill their promises and suggested a fresh start based on Section 23 of the constitution, emphasizing the importance of indoctrination in effecting change.
Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba, a former Chief of Naval Staff, placed responsibility on citizens to understand and fulfill their civic duties. He argued that leadership reflects societal character: “If we say a leader is corrupt, we must also acknowledge that society harbors corruption.” To change the narrative of poor leadership, Ezeoba called for an attitudinal shift, stating that both leaders and followers must evolve. “The followers need to understand their civic responsibility to the state; these have been neglected by the citizens themselves,” he warned.
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