As discussions on the creation of state police gain momentum across the country, the Founder and Convener of the Omoluabi Parapo Conservative Group, Obabirin Aderonke Okeleye, has blamed Nigeria’s worsening insecurity on what she described as government’s misplaced priorities in the allocation of resources.
Speaking during a virtual appearance on a programme on TVC News, Okeleye maintained that Nigeria is not lacking the financial capacity to strengthen its security architecture but has failed to channel adequate funds towards policing and intelligence.
According to her, the country continues to commit huge resources to the cost of governance while critical sectors such as security remain underfunded, a situation she said has left the nation vulnerable to growing criminal activities. She warned that insecurity remains a major threat to economic growth, stressing that no meaningful development can occur in an atmosphere of fear and instability.
Okeleye said the rising call for the establishment of state police must be approached with caution and a clear institutional framework that protects citizens rather than empowering political actors. She emphasised that the proposed system must be structured in a way that ensures accountability and professional independence.
While acknowledging the federal government’s move to set up a committee on state policing, she urged members of the panel to draw lessons from countries where decentralized policing structures have strengthened community safety and rapid response to crime.
The Omoluabi Parapo convener also highlighted the manpower deficit within the Nigeria Police Force, noting that the country currently has far fewer officers than required to effectively police its large population. She added that poor welfare and inadequate equipment have further weakened the ability of officers to tackle increasingly sophisticated criminal networks.
She, however, commended the recent leadership changes within the police hierarchy and charged the new Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to pursue reforms that will improve operational efficiency while laying a solid foundation for any future state policing structure.
Okeleye warned that without proper planning, Nigeria risks replicating the same systemic challenges currently facing the federal police at the state level. She stressed that any reform must focus on strengthening intelligence gathering, improving funding, and ensuring that policing structures serve the interest of the public rather than political figures.
