Retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) Marvel Oji has thrown his weight behind the proposed creation of state police, arguing that locally recruited officers with intimate knowledge of their communities would significantly improve intelligence gathering and strengthen Nigeria's fight against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
Speaking during a television interview on the proposed constitutional amendment establishing state police, Oji said Nigeria's current security challenges have become too complex to be addressed solely through a centralized policing system.
According to the retired police chief, many of the country's security threats occur in forests and remote communities where local knowledge is essential for successful operations.
He noted that several criminal groups operating across Nigeria include foreign elements who exploit unfamiliar terrain and porous borders.
"Police officers recruited from those local communities understand the terrain, the forests, the routes criminals use, and the people living there. Intelligence flows more naturally when officers are part of the communities they serve," Oji said.
He argued that officers posted from distant parts of the country often struggle to navigate unfamiliar environments, making it easier for terrorists, kidnappers and bandits to evade security operations.
"It is difficult to effectively police forests you do not know. Local officers know the paths, the hideouts and the movement patterns of criminal elements," he explained.
While acknowledging the growing importance of technology in modern policing, Oji maintained that intelligence gathered from local communities remains the foundation of effective crime prevention.
He said surveillance technology, communication systems and other modern security equipment cannot replace human intelligence provided by residents who understand developments within their communities.
"You may have sophisticated equipment, but without intelligence from the local people, you may not achieve the desired results," he said.
According to him, involving traditional institutions, community leaders and local residents in security operations would significantly improve law enforcement outcomes.
Responding to concerns that state police could inherit many of the same challenges currently facing the Nigeria Police Force, Oji acknowledged that poor welfare, inadequate manpower and insufficient training remain major issues.
Critics of the proposal have argued that creating another policing structure may simply replicate existing problems, including poor funding, low officer-to-citizen ratios and inadequate operational capacity.
However, the retired DIG said these concerns should not discourage the establishment of state police but rather guide the design of the new system.
"We must recruit properly, train adequately and provide modern equipment. Officers must also enjoy good welfare if we expect them to perform effectively," he stated.
Oji stressed that funding arrangements for state police must be clearly defined to prevent financial or political interference.
He recommended that salaries and operational funding be paid from constitutionally protected consolidated funds rather than depending entirely on the discretion of state governments.
According to him, such safeguards would strengthen the independence of state police institutions and reduce the risk of abuse.
He also called for constitutional provisions regulating appointments, promotions, discipline and operational oversight to ensure professionalism and accountability.
Drawing from his experience as a senior police officer in Lagos State, Oji recalled introducing a community engagement initiative that brought residents closer to law enforcement.
He explained that Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and Area Commanders distributed their personal telephone numbers to households across various communities.
Residents were encouraged to report suspicious activities directly to local police commanders.
According to him, the initiative dramatically improved intelligence gathering and made it increasingly difficult for criminals to operate unnoticed.
"When communities have direct access to their police officers, there is virtually no hiding place for criminals," he said.
Beyond establishing state police, Oji emphasized the importance of effective coordination among all security agencies.
He said federal, state and local security institutions must operate under a unified strategy, sharing intelligence and collaborating in operations rather than working independently.
"We need a common platform where all security agencies can plan together, coordinate together and pursue the same objective of protecting lives and property," he said.
He argued that collaboration between security institutions would significantly improve Nigeria's ability to respond to organized crime and emerging security threats.
Addressing fears that the creation of state police could become politically controversial, Oji insisted that the reform should be viewed strictly as a national security initiative rather than a political project.
"We must not see the creation of state police as a distraction. It is an effort to improve the safety and security of Nigerians," he said.
According to him, if properly implemented with constitutional safeguards, professional recruitment, adequate funding, modern equipment and strong oversight, state police could become a critical component of Nigeria's broader strategy to combat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
The proposed constitutional amendment establishing state police continues to generate nationwide debate, with supporters arguing that decentralised policing will improve security, while critics caution that robust safeguards must be in place to prevent political misuse and protect citizens' rights.
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