Re-Awakening The State Police Controversy in Nigeria: Need for Rethink

The most civilized of nations operate state police because of its attendant benefits. Moreover, a true federal setup should imbibe the idea of a state police. Nigeria as a country is part of the globe and cannot sheer away from the responsibility of decentralizing its police force. The article therefore sought to argue for the need for state police in all states of the federation of Nigeria. In arriving at such conclusion, case laws, statutes, published and unpublished legal materials, internet materials have been utilized. The articles position is that the Nigerian police as is presently structured with its over-centralized apparatus do not curb the incessant menace of insurgents, terrorists and terrorist groups as it is heavily centralized at the centre. It is suggested that Nigeria has become ripe  not only for the devolution of powers and decentralization but equally that the authority of state governments to operate partial state police is more that ever needed to bring Nigeria in line with other civilized societies where state police have proved workable and most beneficial in curbing crime in the society.