By Peace Erewunmi

As discussions on the creation of state police continue across Nigeria, former Lagos State Governor and former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has urged policymakers to approach the issue with caution, emphasizing the need for proper planning and institutional safeguards.

Fashola, who has long supported the idea of decentralized policing, recently raised concerns about the practical challenges associated with establishing state police forces, arguing that enthusiasm for the reform must be matched by careful implementation.

One of his key concerns is financial sustainability. According to Fashola, policing requires substantial and continuous investment in personnel, training, equipment, intelligence gathering, communications infrastructure, and welfare packages for officers. He questioned whether all states possess the financial capacity to maintain effective police institutions without compromising standards.

He also highlighted the importance of recruitment and professional standards, warning against the indiscriminate absorption of local vigilante groups and informal security outfits into state police structures without rigorous screening, training, and oversight.

Another major issue raised by the former governor is the potential misuse of state police by political office holders. He stressed the need for strong legal frameworks and independent oversight mechanisms to prevent abuse of power and ensure that law enforcement agencies remain professional and accountable.

Fashola further argued that operational boundaries between federal and state police institutions must be clearly defined to avoid jurisdictional conflicts and improve coordination in tackling security challenges across the country.

Supporters of state police believe that decentralized law enforcement could improve response times and strengthen local intelligence gathering. However, Fashola maintains that the success of the initiative will depend largely on proper legislation, institutional independence, adequate funding, and adherence to professional standards.

As the National Assembly continues deliberations on constitutional amendments relating to policing, stakeholders across the country are closely examining proposals aimed at balancing improved security with accountability and protection of citizens’ rights.

The debate over state police remains one of the most significant discussions in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to reform its security architecture and address evolving security challenges.