The lawmaker representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District, Benson Sunday Agadaga, has expressed strong support for the establishment of state police in Nigeria, describing it as long overdue and necessary to tackle the country’s growing security challenges.
Speaking during an interview on the ongoing debate over decentralising policing, the senator said the current security situation in Nigeria clearly shows the need for a more localised policing structure.
According to him, the agitation for state police is largely driven by the need for security personnel who understand the local environment and can effectively respond to threats within their communities.
“State police is long overdue in Nigeria. The agitation of the people is that we should have police officers who understand the environment and can concentrate on the security of the states where they belong,” he said.
Agadaga explained that local security personnel would possess better knowledge of the terrain, culture, and unique security dynamics of their communities, making them more effective in tackling crimes such as banditry, kidnapping, and attacks on rural areas.
He cited the complex terrain of the Niger Delta as an example, noting that outsiders may find it difficult to navigate the winding creeks and waterways.
“If you have indigenous people handling the security of their communities, they know the environment very well. Someone unfamiliar with the creeks of the Niger Delta cannot effectively navigate them,” he said.
Responding to concerns that state police could be misused by governors for political purposes, the senator acknowledged the possibility but argued that centralised policing can also be abused by the federal government.
According to him, the solution lies in establishing a system with proper constitutional safeguards and oversight mechanisms.
He proposed a hybrid model where both federal and state police operate under clear legal frameworks to ensure accountability and prevent abuse.
“We can have a Federal National Police and also have state police, with provisions that ensure proper supervision and accountability,” he added.
While supporting state police, Agadaga revealed that he personally favours a regional policing system similar to what existed in Nigeria before 1966.
He said regional policing could reduce the risk of governors personalising security forces and also encourage collaboration among states within the same geopolitical zone.
According to him, many crimes cut across state borders, making regional coordination necessary.
“When someone is kidnapped in Bayelsa, the next moment they may be in Delta, Edo, or Cross River. That shows the need for a coordinated regional security system,” he explained.
However, he noted that funding arrangements among states could pose challenges to implementing a regional policing framework.
The senator also commended the current administration in Bayelsa State for maintaining relative peace and stability through collaboration among security agencies.
He said joint efforts by the police, navy, and army, along with regular security meetings and surveillance operations, have helped authorities curb criminal activities in the state.
Agadaga also highlighted the role of legislators in governance, noting that while lawmakers are not part of the executive arm, they continue to support policies and initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians.
“We are lawmakers; we are not in the executive, but we continue to support initiatives and policies that will improve the lives of Nigerians,” he said.
