Prominent legal experts, labour leaders, and civil society advocates have called for a carefully designed framework to guide the establishment of state police in Nigeria, warning that a lack of proper structure could lead to abuse and oppression.
Speaking at the Fifth Yinka Odumakin Memorial Lecture held in Ikeja, Lagos, human rights lawyer Femi Falana stressed the need for a well-defined mechanism to ensure that state policing serves the interests of the people rather than political actors. He cautioned that without adequate safeguards, state police could be manipulated as a tool to silence opposition voices and suppress dissent.
The lecture, themed “Can Nigeria’s Democracy Work Without Restructuring?”, provided a platform for stakeholders to examine the country’s governance structure. Falana emphasised that restructuring remains central to achieving true federalism, noting that governance must prioritise the welfare of citizens.
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Also speaking, President of the International Press Centre, Lanre Arogundade, echoed similar concerns. He warned that state-controlled security outfits could become instruments of oppression if not democratically managed. Arogundade advocated for a people-oriented policing system that guarantees fairness, accountability, and protection for all Nigerians.
In his remarks, Gani Adams supported the creation of state police but insisted that its implementation must be properly structured to benefit citizens. He pledged his readiness to collaborate with government authorities to enhance security across the country.
Similarly, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, called for the establishment of state police, highlighting its potential to address Nigeria’s growing security challenges if properly managed.
The event also attracted notable activists, including Omoyele Sowore, alongside other civil society figures. Participants collectively emphasised the need for reforms that would strengthen democracy, protect human rights, and ensure that any policing system introduced operates transparently and in the public interest.