Combatting Nigeria’s Contemporary Internal Security Quagmire and the Advocacy for State Police
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVES OF STUDY
The following aims and objectives of this research is to sufficiently address and answer the aforementioned research questions:
- To bring to fore the detailed factors that have necessitated the recent debates and advocacy for state police in Nigeria.
- To interrogate the actual readiness of the country to effectively put state police system in place.
- To evaluate the efficacy of state police as the concrete solution to the nation’s host of security challenges.
- To predict attendant challenges and flaws of the system should it gets implemented.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
INTRODUCTION
This particular chapter presents a review of previous academic and scholarly studies on areas relating to this research topic. The main essence of this literature review is to identify the gaps in these previous works and studies so as to provide new information. Thus, vital areas to be reviewed in literature include the severity of contemporary internal security quagmire in Nigeria, the inefficiencies of the extant Federal Police System( Nigeria Police Force) in containing the numerous security problems, the institution of State Police itself, the appraisal of the growing debate and advocacy for State Policing as a panacea measure, the attendant prospects and issues in relation to State Policing in adequately addressing the security problems.
CONTEMPORARY INTERNAL SECURITY QUAGMIRE IN NIGERIA
The Nigerian state has witnessed plethora of security challenges, especially since the sustenance of democratic dispensation since 1999. As a leading state in the African continent, available evidence shows that Nigeria has peculiar security challenges which some observers had expected the internal security policies (a component of the National Security Policy of Nigeria) to address. In Nigeria, ritual killings, cyber crimes, car theft, carjacking, advanced free fraud, drug trafficking, human trafficking, among others; have continued to pose serious challenges in Nigeria. As it was the trend in some states in Africa like Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Lone, Gambia, etc. these security threats were witnessed along other non-violent threats such as HIV/AIDS, cholera, bird flu, Lassa fever, among others.
Beside these conventional threats, Nigeria is plagued with violent security threats. However, such threats include the Niger Delta crises, Kidnapping, Boko Haram crises and frequent clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the Northern part of Nigeria. However, some of these threats have long historical antecedents, while others like the menace of Herdsmen are recent occurrences. In Nigeria for instance, armed robbery, arson, murder, rape, car theft, among others are not new. They are among the old internal security problems confronting the Nigerian state. Paradoxically, Nigeria in recent times witnessed new forms of security threats in her internal security management. Such threats were undoubtedly crimes perpetuated by some Niger Delta Youths, Boko Haram sect, kidnappings in the South-East and some other zones, terror-attacks by Islamic extremists in Jos, frequent attacks against farmers by Fulani Herdsmen and killing of Christians by extremists at southern part of Kaduna State; which is also located in Northern Nigeria. Consequently, these internal security challenges have not only posed threats to corporate existence of Nigeria as a sovereign state, but also undermined the quest for unity in diversity which underscores the rationale for adoption of federalism in Nigeria (Chris Nwagboso, 2018).
The alarming level of insecurity in Nigeria has fuelled the crime rate and terrorists attacks in different parts of the country, leaving unpalatable consequences for the nation‟s economy and its growth. To address the threat to national security and combat the increasing waves of crime the federal government in the 2013 budget made a huge allocation to security, and the national assembly passed the Anti-Terrorism Act in 2011 (Ewetan, 2013). Despite these efforts, the level of insecurity in the country is still high, and a confirmation of this is the low ranking of Nigeria in the Global Peace Index (GPI, 2012). Despite the plethora of security measures taken to address the daunting challenges of insecurity in Nigeria, government efforts have not produced the desired positive result.This has compelled the Nigerian government in recent time to request for foreign assistance from countries such as USA, Israel, and EU countries to combat the rising waves of terrorism and insecurity (Ewetan and Urhie, 2014).
CHAPTER THREE
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND TO THE ADVOCACY FOR STATE POLICE
INTRODUCTION
The increasing clamour for the establishment of state police into the Nigerian Policing system has largely been birthed by the endemic and disheartening internal security quagmire in the country particularly in these present times. The phenomenon has acquired popularity due to the ever increasing rate of highly violent internal crimes and even non violent ones that take different forms in the country as well as the apparent inability of the present central police system to impressively combat the the problem.
As a matter of fact, during the 2014 National Conference held in the Jonathan Administration, critical issues bordering on the Nation’s security were discussed. The discourse as well saw the advocacy for the introduction of state police system to work in synergy with already extant Federal Police Force. This according to the advocates corroborates the need for devolution of the highly centralized police power to reposition the institution to adequately maintain law and order and secure the lives and property of people.
It is as well believed by the protagonists that the proximity of the state police to the community of its jurisdiction gives it a leverage to have a more proactive position for detecting and uprooting any emerging crime before it grows. However, this advocacy cum clamour isn’t without some criticisms which have been thrown at it by critics from different quarters. These largely form the views of the antagonists who are much more pessimistic about the true success of state police should it gets introduced. Some of the opinions enunciated is that state police will lead to a situation in which there will be two rivaling institutions of the same responsibility, duty and nature in the country. Nevertheless, the protagonists of the state police are convinced and insist that the creation of state police is the only solution to all Nigeria security conundrum , given the acquaintance of the institution with the people and the terrain.
However, before diving deeply into the historical basis and actual debate for state police which is the crux of this chapter, there will be a a more indepth examination of the the history, development structure and modus operandi of the extant Nigeria Police Force, there will as well be a detailed review of the contemporary internal security problems that the country is faced with. Lastly, there will be the analysis of the historical basis and points put forward by most advocates of State police in Nigeria.
CHAPTER FOUR
THE ASSESSMENT OF THE WORKABILITY OF STATE POLICE OPTION IN NIGERIA
INTRODUCTION
This chapter of the study mainly focuses on addressing the previously stated research objectives. Hence, it presents the analysis of these objectives which include interrogating the actual readiness of the country particularly with regards to both Federal and State government in putting it in place. In the same vein, the evaluation of the possibility of state police as the concrete solution to the nation’s host of security challenges will be done as well as predicting the attendant challenges of the system should it gets implemented.
STATE POLICE STRUCTURE IN NIGERIA : AN ANALYSIS OF THE COUNTRY’S READINESS
Despite the recent clamour cum call for state police measure from some entities and quarters in the country, it is very much apparrent that this call might not yield the desired end result any time soon. This is largely due to the indifferent position of the Federal Government on it as they seemingly ‘do not buy’ into the rationale behind the call. Hence, it could be rightly said that the country isn’t set to put this in place any time soon.
However, some state governments who are mostly the lead advocates of this measure have deemed it fit to begin with putting in place a substantive alternative in the light of the ever prevalent security crises that bedevil their domain. This alternative is no other than the now famous and controversial South Western Security Network code named Operation Amotekun. This security outfit was officially launched on Thursday, 9th January, 2020 by the South Western Governors. In the words of Governor Fayemi of Ekiti State as reported by the Punch Newspaper on that same stated date, he said ;
Amotekun is a complement that will give our people confidence that they are being looked after by those they elected into office. So, we do not want this to create fear in the mind of anybody as we are not creating a regional police force and are fully aware of the steps we must take to have state police. We do not want anybody to misconstrue the concept of Amotekun.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATION
SUMMARY
The paramount purpose of this research work is to critically examine the underlying factors that have been necessitating the increasing clamour and advocacy for the introduction of State Policing in Nigeria. The study further seeks to appraise the debate, arguments for and against the call for State Police in Nigeria. This is particularly in the face of contemporary insecurity quagmire that has hitherto been bedeviling the country despite the presence of the central cum Federal Police structure and some other law enforcement agencies in the country. Hence, having been convinced by the objective findings of this research, the study concludes by asserting that the establishment of State Police appears to be indeed ripe and needful at this very critical moment of grave security crisis in Nigeria.Chapter one presents the background to the study and goes further to address the statement of the problem, clarification of concepts, research questions and research objectives, significance of the study, research methodology which presents the procedures used in answering the research questions and scope of the study.
Chapter two review various relevant literature on the subject matter and three theories were employed to put the study into proper perspective. The chapter is divided into two sections. The first section focuses on an in depth analysis of salient issues related to the research topic that have as well been examined in some literature. These issues range from the severity of the contemporary internal security quagmire in the country to the examination of the present Nigeria Police Force in relation to its brief history and current inadequacies. It as well reviews the State Police system as practiced in several countries of the world. In addition, the growing advocacy and debate on the subject matter was appraised by the examination of the argues for and against State Police system in Nigeria.
The second section then utilizes three fundamental theoretical frameworks in order to put the study of the research topic in a very much better perspective. These are the Relative Deprivation Theory, Social Conflict Perspective and Social Contract Theory. These set the theoretical framework for explaining factors that propel some entities to crime and jeopardize the nation’s security, the differential rendering of security services to different strata of the society and their inadequacies.Also, the last theory helps in understanding the existential reasons of the Police institution and they right individuals in the society have to seek alternatives for the protection of their lives if the state has become incapable of absolutely ensuring such.
Chapter three is centered on the examination of the historical basis of the advocacy for State Police in Nigeria. This particularly include a more detailed analysis of the history, development, structure and inadequacies of the centralized Nigeria Police Force. It also went further to critically analyze some very endemic and deleterious insecurity crises that characterize the Nigerian state in the recent times. These include notable crisis across geo political zones of the country like Niger Delta agitations, Kiddnapping, Jos crisis, Boko Haram terror, Fulani herders/farmers crises and host of other severe crises in the country.
Chapter Four is completely based on the objective analysis of the State Police system, particularly in the fom of interrogating the country’s actual readiness to have such in place. It as well made reference to the recently adopted “regional” police chm securifit outfit by the South Western governors, Amotekun. It also tests the workability of this proposed solution in combatting the ever worsening security difficulties. It goes further to identify the probable limitations of this measure if eventually put in place. Most of these analysis were done with the aid of secondary data sourced from credible publications, articles, newspaper interviews. Content analysis method was employed to analyse the data gotten.
Chapter five is where the conclusions are made. The ultimate objective of this study is to give an objective appraisal and make a critical examination on the increasing call for State Policing measure across the country. Thereby, ascertaining the actual needfulness of this measure in the country. This is mostly done with reference to the already overwhelmed and ineffective Nigeria Police Force and other sister internalbsecurity agencies in sufficiently mitigating the scourge of security quagmire in the country. Finally, having examined the arguments for and against, probs and cons, I recommend that interested and capable state governments should be given the permission to indeed establish the State Police system in their various states. However this must be done with the highest sense of caution and strict management and administration. So that it doesn’t create more problems or become a problem itself, thereby, making it counter productive. I as well stress the need for a stringent recruitment process into this system which shouldn’t be later abused . Such that the first criterium for recruiting its personnel is that potential officer must genuinely be well conversant with the security terrain of the state. The state police must work on the endemic ills that mar the extant Nigeria Police Force so it doesn’t become an unproductive and disappointing venture eventually. Also, there has to be in place some strong institutional checks to ensure state governors don’t unduely abuse this security measure. Moreso, the regional policing measure (Amotekun) , although called community police by some, adopted by the South Western governors appears to be a clear indication that the much advocated state police system might eventually get adopted, be it sooner or later by various interested and capable state governments. Thus, with these concluding remarks, this study opens windows for further research and constructive criticisms.
CONCLUSION
The Nigerian state has witnessed plethora of security challenges, especially since the sustenance of democratic dispensation since 1999. It is also highly unfortunate that the Nigerian state over the recent years has been perpetually bedeviled by the endemic surge and scourge of insecurity challenges leading to hundreds of deaths of innocent civilians, foreigners, elected officials and many government workers, even some members of the nation’s security personnel aren’t spared. These insecurity challenges continually assume seemingly insurmountable dimensions on a daily basis. Although, the Nigerian government seemingly tries to trudge on in the face of this daring challenge and adopt some strategies to contain or douse this conflagration. These range from the “force-for-force” to carrot-and-stick approach to diplomacy but the problem keeps surging with greater monstrosity like the proverbial phoenix. Worse still, the extant Nigeria Police Force and other internal Security Agencies have not been impressively forthcoming in combatting this very issue. Hence, these have form part of the fundamental reasons that have led some to argue that the only solution to the myriad of security threats in Nigeria is to embrace the federating principle of state police.
Therefore, after the critical and objective analysis of this debate and clamour, the conclusion made in this study is state police measure appears to be apt and needful at this critical stage of worsening security crises that as well exude some form of peculiarities in various parts of the country. However, it’s adoption has to be carefully done so as not to further complicate the already worsened security situation of the country. Some recommendations were also made which are briefly discussed subsequently.
RECOMMENDATIONS
In order to genuinely combat and mitigate the scourge of Nigeria’s contemporary internal security quagmire via the adoption of state police measure, the following recommendations are pivotal:
There has to firstly be a constitutional review process that will amend the Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution to give room for state governments to establish their constitutional security structure. That is, there should be a rephrase in the Section 214 (2) of the 1999 Constitution that forbids the establishment of any other Police Force asides the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). This amendment will not only provide a reconciliation with the provisions of section 2(1), (3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which provides for the federal arrangement in Nigeria premised on a distinctive division of powers of the federation between the central (federal) and the States’ governments. But also with that of section 12(2b) of the Nigerian constitution which explicitly states that security and welfare of the people (citizens) is the primary purpose of government. By implication, if the president is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, a state governor is the Chief Security Officer of his state. Hence, the creation of state police will better enable committed state governors to better perform the corresponding duties of that title.
After the constitutional amendment must have been made to suit the call for state police, interested state governors also have a very sensitive role to perform during the adoption and administration of this security measure. Given the political ecology of the country, any initiative that lacks proper management is highly bound to become abused and dysfunctional. Therefore, adequate caution has to be well taken by state governments if they must truly have a productive state owned security outfit. Hence, they must ensure that it doesn’t lack the fundamental facilities like adequate funding, sufficient and qualitative personnel and so on. State governments have to take an indepth cue from the challenges that bedevil the Federal Police Force which incapacitates it from impressively carrying out its existential functions.
Moreso, the veracity of the popular aphorism that “power tends to corrupt, absolute power tends to corrupt absolutely” can not be gainsaid. Hence, there must be the establishment of viable and strong institutional checks outside the control of the state governors that will forestall the abuse of the state police structure by state governors. This particular recommendation is highly pertinent before some antagonists of state police measure and pessimists rightly argued that the then Native Police became a threat and problem of national security because it became terribly abused by regional politicians as a tool blindly wielded against the political enemies. Therefore, the creation of institutional checks in curbing the excesses of the state governors in the process of running this security outfit be made.
Lastly, the state police, when eventually put in place must be able to work in synergy with the already existing Federal Police Force. This should be learnt from other Federal and better developed states like the United States where the Federal police structure sometimes work in synergy like the local Sheriffs. Particularly when the security situation is though might be local in nature is beyond the abilities of the latter. The former is often called to give an helping hand. This therefore suggests that both the Federal and State police system should not engage in needless inter agency rivalry. This will only hinder them from appropriately carrying out their duties for the benefit of the citizens who are mostly the poor victims the internal security crises in the country.
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