Security expert urges caution on calls for state police

A security expert, Mr Tosin Osasona, has urged those calling for the creation of state police to think twice, saying that “states calling for their own formation may not be financially capable for its responsibilities.”

The security expert said this on Wednesday in Lagos at the 5th Annual Security Executives Converge organised by the Institute of Security and Strategic Studies (ISS).

The two-day summit with the  theme, “Building Executive’s Capacity in Security Coordination and Management for Protection of Critical Assets/National Interest” was attended by Directors of security outfits from the private and public sectors from  across the country.

Osasona said that police financing was expensive, therefore, states calling for their own formation might not be financially capable for its responsibilities.

“Policing is expensive, not just in Nigeria but all over the world. The states that are calling for a state police, do they have the capacity to adequately fund it?

“For the less-endowed states, they may find it difficult to fund the police effectively considering the fact that some states are owing their workers, so what happens when they are to fund the police?”

Osasona also said that the various calls for state police might not have impact in reducing crimes in the society.

“The call for a state police may not solve the security challenges the country is facing because of some fundamentals which must be addressed.

“In Nigeria, we have state-owned health facilities, state-owned primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, but has that translated to better education or better healthcare delivery?

“What I am saying is that having a state police does not guarantee improved security; it’s just changing the name or rather, we are decentralising inefficiency.

“A well-managed police, both internally and externally, is about capacity, the operational cost, among others.

“For instance, how much does it cost to fuel an operational vehicle of the police, maybe about 150 liters of petrol  in a day,” Osasona said.

The security expert said that if the police could be well resourced, it would  enhance their capacity and increase local intelligence.

“Adequate policing means improved resources, capacity and corruption-free police; we need a well-resourced police system for effectiveness and efficiency,” he said.