Nigeria: First Daily Dialogue - Ex-Military Chiefs, Politicians, Others Back State Police, Urgent Security Reforms

What the report says

Premium Times, published via AllAfrica, reports that former military chiefs, politicians, security specialists and other stakeholders have backed the creation of state police and wider security reforms in Nigeria. The calls were made on Tuesday at the First Daily Sixth Anniversary National Dialogue on Security in Abuja, themed around moving from declarations of a security emergency to practical action.

Speakers at the event included former Chiefs of Defence Staff Lucky Irabor and Martin Luther Agwai, Senator Seriake Dickson, and representatives of Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri. Participants argued that Nigeria’s insecurity cannot be handled through military deployment alone, and urged stronger internal security institutions, improved intelligence work, higher funding for security agencies, and a larger role for state governments.

Irabor said any emergency stance on security should lead to concrete steps, including better financing for the armed forces and security agencies, and a properly regulated state police system. Dickson said the military has become too involved in domestic security because policing and other internal institutions have weakened. Bayelsa’s Secretary to the State Government, Nimibofa Ayawei, said governors are often blamed for insecurity despite lacking direct control over the police.

The discussion comes as the National Assembly considers constitutional changes to allow state police. Premium Times reports that both chambers have approved related proposals, but the measures still need reconciliation and approval from at least two-thirds of state Houses of Assembly before going to the president. Supporters see decentralised policing as a way to bring security responses closer to communities, while speakers also stressed accountability to prevent abuse.