- Gabriel Suswam opposes introducing State Police in Nigeria, citing concerns about governors’ potential misuse of law enforcement authority
- Suswam warns against granting governors control over police, fearing it could exacerbate security challenges and undermine democratic principles
Gabriel Suswam, former governor of Benue State, has strongly opposed introducing a State Police system in Nigeria, arguing that the country is not yet ready for such a move.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday, Suswam expressed his reservations about the proposal, echoing the sentiments of the Inspector-General of Police, who also believes Nigeria lacks the maturity for state-controlled police forces.
“I do not support placing Police Force authority in the hands of state governors. It is not conducive for Nigeria’s current state,” Suswam remarked.
Drawing from his experience as a governor for eight years and a lawmaker, Suswam cautioned against granting governors control over law enforcement, fearing they might misuse it to target political adversaries.
“Having served as a governor, I understand the immense power wielded by state executives. Adding state police to their arsenal would exacerbate the security landscape,” he cautioned.
Suswam pointed to governors’ handling of local government elections as evidence of their authoritarian tendencies, suggesting a similar trend could emerge with state-controlled police forces.
“In local government elections, governors often manipulate outcomes to favour their parties, leaving little room for opposition representation. Introducing state police could amplify this autocratic behaviour,” Suswam emphasized.
Reflecting on historical precedents, Suswam highlighted the disbandment of the Native Police in Northern Nigeria due to its abuse of power. He cautioned that a similar scenario could unfold with state police, foreseeing the potential for increased insecurity and confusion.
While acknowledging the potential positive contributions of state police in certain cases, Suswam expressed scepticism about their overall impact, fearing they could exacerbate tensions between state and federal law enforcement agencies.
He advocated for community policing as a viable alternative, proposing that local communities form surveillance teams to monitor their surroundings and report suspicious activities.
Suswam suggested that “Empowering communities to safeguard their neighborhoods through vigilant monitoring can complement existing law enforcement efforts.”
Suswam urged the Federal Government to prioritize funding and equipping the national police force with modern tools to combat crime effectively. He also called on the National Assembly to carefully consider the implications of state police, emphasizing the importance of national interests over regional preferences.
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