By Our Correspondent
The Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has expressed support for the establishment of a decentralised policing system in Nigeria, describing it as a model that aligns with practices in many democratic countries.
Speaking on the issue, the senator said countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom operate decentralised policing structures that enable law enforcement agencies to respond more effectively to local security challenges.
However, Akpoti-Uduaghan cautioned that the creation of state police must be accompanied by strong legal and institutional safeguards to prevent abuse by political actors at both the state and federal levels.
“I am in support of decentralising the police force. In most democratic societies, whether it’s America or the United Kingdom, they operate a decentralised system of policing. My concern is the abuse of this state police by both state and national political actors,” she said.
The debate over state police has remained a key issue in Nigeria’s ongoing constitutional and security reform discussions, with supporters arguing that decentralised policing would improve security, while critics warn that it could be exploited for political purposes if adequate checks and balances are not put in place.
