State police will deepen ethnic divisions, encourage political persecution, jurisdictional conflicts – Ayagi

The Chairman of the Coalition of International Human Rights Organisations in Kano State, Comrade A.A. Haruna Ayagi, has cautioned against the proposed establishment of state police, warning that the initiative could deepen ethnic divisions, encourage political persecution and create jurisdictional conflicts among security agencies.

Ayagi made the remarks in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST on Wednesday while reacting to the passage of the State Police Bill by the Senate on Wednesday, arguing that Nigeria has yet to overcome its existing security and ethnic challenges.

According to him, decentralising policing powers to the states at this stage could aggravate the country’s fragile security situation.

“There is a likelihood of heightened ethnic sentiments because the country is still grappling with issues of ethnic divisions. If every state controls its own police, officers may administer justice based on local customs, traditions and prevailing social attitudes in their respective states,” he said.

The human rights activist also expressed fears that governors and other political office holders could exploit state police structures to suppress dissent and intimidate opposition figures, particularly during election periods.

“Politicians may use state police as a tool to intimidate and silence their political opponents, especially during elections, in order to consolidate their hold on power,” Ayagi stated.

He further warned that the establishment of state police could trigger frequent disputes between federal and state security agencies over operational mandates and areas of authority.

“There could be persistent conflicts between federal and state police over jurisdiction. For instance, state police may make arrests which federal police could challenge as being outside their authority, and vice versa. This clash of jurisdiction may undermine effective law enforcement,” he explained.

Ayagi added that the introduction of state police might negatively affect existing community-based security outfits such as vigilante groups and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).

“This may discourage members of vigilante groups and the Civilian JTF from continuing their sacrifices, as they may feel their efforts are no longer valued after new security structures are given priority over them,” he said.

The Senate on Wednesday passed the State Police Bill, a development that has reignited national debate over the desirability and implications of decentralised policing in Nigeria.