POLICE FEDERALISM IN NIGERIA: STATE, COMMUNITY POLICE AND THE SETTLED CONUNDRUM?

Abstract

Policing in the Nigerian federation is challenging, recently accentuated by the rate of violent crimes resulting in insecurities and worsening a difficult problem. It evinces the problem of the states to maintain law and order and secure lives and properties. Central to the issue is the constitutional location of policing powers and the exercise of policing powers. In an attempt to tackle the problem, some state governments have proceeded to establish quasi-police organs, without calling them state police. A solution to the problem seems to have been found in the new police legislation, which makes concrete provisions on community police to deal with the policing needs of states. The compromise of community police has not alleviated the agitation of states for more policing powers and control to effectively secure the lives and properties of citizens who mostly reside in state territories. The continuing fears for state police, makes it inescapable to ask whether policing challenges may not be solved by granting the states more control over the current governance structure of the police?