Nigeria’s Policing Challenges Require a Decentralized Approach – Aliyu Gusau

Former Minister of Defence, Aliyu Gusau, has attributed the rising cases of insecurity in Nigeria to the nation’s complex nature, emphasizing that it is too intricate to be secured solely by the police.

Speaking at the Community Protection Guard graduation ceremony, a community-based security outfit established by the Zamfara State Government, Gusau suggested a reevaluation of the country’s security strategy. With a population of approximately 223.8 million and a vast terrain of 923,768 square kilometers, he argued that expecting a single police force to effectively patrol and control such a large and diverse nation is a formidable challenge. Gusau stressed the need for a collaborative community effort, stating, “Security is a community effort and the responsibility of all, not only the police or armed forces.”

Meanwhile, Chief Olabode George, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, expressed concern over Nigeria’s precarious situation amid a surge in kidnappings. He called for the provision of sophisticated weapons for the South-West local security outfit, Amotekun, and advocated for the establishment of state and community policing nationwide to address the prevailing security challenges.

During a press conference in Lagos, George highlighted the recent abduction of schoolchildren and the killing of two monarchs in the state. He questioned the effectiveness of local security outfits without proper weaponry and urged a revisit of the constitutional framework, emphasizing the limitations of a centralized approach to security. George suggested looking into the reports of constitutional conferences and emphasized the need for decentralized security measures, drawing parallels with the community policing model in the United States.

In light of the escalating security threats, George urged President Tinubu not to shy away from considering state police and reiterated the importance of community policing in averting a potential collapse of the nation.