Initially, most Nigerians were vehemently against State policing policy, fearing hijack of the system by governors, whom they claimed would use it against perceived opponents.
Now, due to overwhelming threats of insecurity and terrorism, many citizens have welcomed the State Police Bill initiated as an Executive Bill which has passed through the two arms of the National Assembly, now heading to the 36 States for endorsement or rejection.
Most persons interviewed in the South-South and South-East have endorsed the policy, though with a tone of warning. The overall impression gathered by BusinessDay in the two zones is that it is better to have State Police Commands helping to handle community policing with all its junk than to sit and wait for terror to consume communities.
Most States already have community or local Police structures that help to protect communities. In Rivers State, they already have the Rivers Neighbourhood Watch which was like a State Police with presence in all the LGAs and a Commandant-General who is a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police. There is also the OSPAC which is purely for communities and are paid by Local Councils.
Some States such as Delta and Akwa Ibom have gone ahead to hold security summits and set up full structures and Security Fund structure meant to raise money.
