Christopher Musa Urges Caution Over State Police Plan

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has warned that introducing state police could greatly improve national security if the system is carefully designed and properly managed. However, he said poor planning or weak implementation could create serious problems instead of solving existing security challenges. Speaking at an Arise TV Town Hall meeting in Abuja on Thursday, Christopher Musa described state police as a promising solution but stressed the need for caution.

He said, “State police is a good thing if well harnessed, planned, and executed, it could be the silver bullet that we need. But again, if not well executed, it could turn out to be the Hiroshima that we are afraid of.”

The Defence Minister explained that any state police system must serve every citizen fairly and should never reflect ethnic, religious, or elite interests. He added, “State police should not be ethnic-based, it must not be religion-based, and it must not be for the elite.” To reduce potential risks, Christopher Musa proposed introducing the system gradually, beginning in state capitals before extending it across the country. He believes this approach would allow authorities to identify and address operational challenges at an early stage.

The minister also encouraged Nigerians to play an active role in building a better nation. He said, “Most Nigerians want change, but they want somebody to change and not themselves. Every Nigerian must be the change that we so much desire.”

While recognising that Nigeria continues to face challenges such as ethnic divisions, religious tensions, and elite interests, Christopher Musa praised the Nigeria Police Force for maintaining its duties despite the difficult conditions. He maintained that careful planning and broad national commitment remain essential if state police is to strengthen the country’s security.

What steps do you think Nigeria should take before introducing state police nationwide?