The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Jibrin Okutepa, has argued that the creation of state police may not solve Nigeria’s worsening insecurity unless the country first builds independent and accountable institutions free from political interference.
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Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Okutepa said Nigeria’s security challenges stem more from weak institutions and lack of political will than from the structure of policing.
According to him, Nigeria’s experience with regional, native authority and local government police before their abolition showed how such security outfits were often used to harass political opponents, suppress dissent and influence elections.
“Before 1914, we had different kinds of police forces. It was only in 1914 that we had a centralised police structure. Under the Republican Constitution, we had native authority police, local government police and regional police. We are all aware of what happened under these police structures. They were abused for political purposes, harassment of opponents, suppression of dissent and protection of the interests of those in power,” he said.
The senior lawyer noted that while many Nigerians now advocate state policing as a response to rising kidnappings and violent crimes, the fundamental issue remains the absence of institutions that can operate independently of political influence.
“The problem we have is not necessarily in the nomenclature of the security agencies but whether we, as Nigerians, are prepared to build institutions that do not owe allegiance to those in power. I think that is the problem we have,” Okutepa stated.
He warned that governors and political office holders already wield significant influence over existing security structures, raising concerns that state police could be similarly abused if institutional safeguards are not strengthened.
“As of today, with profound respect, there is no institution of democracy that is independent of those in power. They owe allegiance to those in power. There is a need for a national discourse on whether we are truly committed to building institutions,” he added.
Okutepa also blamed persistent insecurity on a lack of political commitment, alleging that some criminal activities thrive because influential individuals enable them.
“You ask yourself why insecurity persists in our country. There is no political will. Some of these criminal gangs and kidnappers are not operating because people in authority are unaware. Some of them are invariably enabled,” he said.
The SAN further criticised the condition of security personnel, saying poor welfare, inadequate equipment and lack of support for officers and their families have weakened morale within the security services.
“If you travel across Nigeria, you will see how tattered, haggard and ill-equipped our policemen are. Look at their barracks. What is the incentive for a man to lay down his life? Those who retire are protesting because they have not received their entitlements,” he said.
He questioned the proliferation of security agencies, arguing that many perform overlapping functions that could be better coordinated under a more effective security framework.
“We have the Armed Forces, the Police, DSS, NSCDC, Immigration, Customs, FRSC, Correctional Service and several others. Many of them are doing police work. The issue is not the absence of security agencies but how effectively they are coordinated and managed,” he said.
In one of his strongest remarks during the programme, Okutepa said he would undertake a sweeping overhaul of the security architecture if given the opportunity.
“If I had the power, the police as it is today and all security agencies would be subjected to thorough psychological and psychiatric tests to identify those who are humane and committed to policing and securing this country,” he said.
The legal practitioner also dismissed proposals for a single six-year tenure for presidents and governors, arguing that leadership effectiveness is determined by commitment rather than the length of time in office.
“A governor or president who wants to give good governance will show evidence of it within one year. The problem is not whether it is six years, eight years or ten years. The problem is the failure of institutions to check abuse of power and hold leaders accountable,” he said.
Okutepa concluded by urging Nigerians to reject corruption, vote-buying and the pursuit of unexplained wealth, insisting that meaningful reforms would remain elusive unless citizens demand accountability from leaders and public institutions.
“Until we do away with the propensity to celebrate unexplained wealth and reward integrity and honesty, Nigeria will continue changing systems without addressing the real problem. We must change our orientation and strengthen our institutions,” he said.
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