By Luminous Jannamike
ABUJA — Former Member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Nnenna Ukeje, on Thursday warned that Nigeria risks building state police on a weak foundation, insisting the country must first rebuild and strengthen the Nigeria Police Force before creating 36 new state policing institutions.
Speaking at the ARISE News Town Hall on State Police in Abuja, Ukeje said the growing pressure to establish state police reflected Nigerians’ frustration with worsening insecurity. But she cautioned against mistaking urgency for preparedness, insisting that while she supports devolving policing powers, the country must first put the right institutions in place.
The discussion had opened with presentations by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, both of whom argued in favour of decentralised policing.
However, when the moderator invited Ukeje to respond to concerns about possible political abuse, she shifted the conversation beyond politics, focusing instead on whether Nigeria had the institutions, resources and safeguards needed to make state police work.
