A former Director of the Department of State Services, Mike Ejiofor, has renewed calls for the establishment of state police, describing it as one of the most effective solutions to Nigeria’s persistent security challenges.
Ejiofor made the call on Monday during an exclusive interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, where he expressed concern over the delay in implementing a policy that has already received widespread support from key stakeholders across the country.
He argued that coordination within Nigeria’s security architecture would improve significantly with the creation of state police.
“Coordination will be more effective if we have state police created. I have been a very strong advocate of the creation of state police. I don’t know why the Federal Government has been dragging on the establishment of state police,” he said.
According to him, the President, the National Assembly and state governors have all endorsed the initiative, making the continued delay difficult to justify.
“The President has bought into the idea. The National Assembly has bought into the idea. The governors have bought into it. Virtually everybody has bought into it. So what has been delaying it?” he queried.
Ejiofor also criticised the slow pace of security reforms, noting that lawmakers often approve other matters within a short period while a critical issue such as state police remains unresolved.
“There are some issues that are irrelevant. When they want to take a loan, within 48 hours or even two hours, it is passed. So what has been holding them? I think they know what they are doing, especially our politicians. I can tell you that if state police is established, more than half of our problems will be solved,” he stated.
The former DSS director explained that state police would enhance intelligence gathering because officers would be recruited from their local communities and possess a better understanding of the terrain, culture and security dynamics of the areas they serve.
He noted that several states already operate informal security structures through vigilante groups and task forces, adding that formalising such arrangements would strengthen national security efforts.
“There’s no state now without a form of state police in the name of task force or vigilante. So just formalise it, get new recruitment, get leadership and see that this gets into operation,” he said.
Ejiofor, however, stressed the need for adequate training, equipment and safeguards to prevent political interference and abuse of the system.
He maintained that the responsibilities of state police should focus largely on intelligence gathering and collaboration with federal security agencies, while crimes such as terrorism, sabotage and insurgency remain under federal jurisdiction.
“There must be a limit to their action. They shouldn’t go into state crimes like terrorism, sabotage and insurgency. Their goal is to collect intelligence and collaborate with the federal police,” he said.
He further argued that trust deficits between federal security personnel and local communities have undermined policing effectiveness in some parts of the country.
Citing the South-East region, Ejiofor said some residents perceive officers posted from outside their communities as outsiders, thereby limiting cooperation and intelligence sharing.
The former DSS director also advocated granting state police sufficient operational powers, including access to modern technology and necessary security equipment to tackle emerging threats effectively.
“There shouldn’t be any limitation if it must be effective. They can acquire technology on their own, cameras and other equipment. By the time each state takes care of its security, there won’t be any place for criminals to operate,” he added.
He emphasised that recruitment into state police formations must be transparent and merit-based to avoid political manipulation.
“The process of recruitment must be carefully undertaken so that you don’t recruit politicians and thereby compound our problems,” Ejiofor warned.
He expressed confidence that a properly implemented state police system across the country would significantly weaken criminal networks and improve overall security.
