State police: Governors have abdicated their duty – Falana

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has accused state governors of abandoning their constitutional responsibilities in the management and oversight of the Nigeria Police Force.
Falana made the statement during an interview on Channels Television on Friday while reacting to ongoing discussions on the establishment of state police.

He argued that contrary to popular belief, Nigeria does not operate a federal police system but a federation-based structure involving both the federal and state governments.

“We do not have a federal government police. What we have is a federation police. That is why it is called the Nigeria Police Force,” he said.

Falana explained that the police system is constitutionally expected to be managed by the Nigerian Police Council, which includes the president as chairman, the Inspector General of Police, the chairman of the Police Service Commission, and all 36 state governors.

“In that 39-member council, the 36 state governors are members. But unfortunately, since 1999, the governors have abdicated their constitutional duty to the president,” he said.

According to him, this has led to a situation where the president alone effectively supervises and controls the police, contrary to constitutional provisions.

“The president cannot appoint or remove an Inspector General of Police without going to the council, but that council does not meet. It is the only security body in Nigeria that does not meet,” he added.

Falana said the failure of governors to insist on the proper functioning of the Police Council has contributed to the current security challenges and renewed calls for state police.

He, however, questioned the push for creating new police structures.

He noted that many states already operate local security outfits under different names.

“In the South-West, they have Amotekun. In Lagos, there is Neighborhood Watch. In Borno, you have the Civilian Joint Task Force. In Kano, there is Hisbah. Across the country, there are similar outfits. So, in reality, we already have state police,” he said.

He stressed that the real issue is not the creation of new agencies but proper funding, coordination, and equipping of existing security structures.

“It is not by creating another agency called state police that you will solve the problem. How will they be funded?” he asked.

He also raised concerns about the poor equipment available to local security personnel, noting that many are sent to confront heavily armed criminals without adequate weapons.

“How can you ask security personnel to go to the forest and confront criminals armed with AK-47 rifles when they are only allowed to carry locally made guns?” he asked.