Security expert to FG: Decentralize police operations now for effective crime control

 A security expert, Mr Matthew Ibadin, has called for a fundamental restructuring of Nigeria’s security architecture, advocating the devolution of police powers to state and local government levels to more effectively combat crime.

Ibadin, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos, commended the ongoing efforts of security agencies in tackling crime, particularly in Lagos State.

The Chief Executive Officer of Badinson Security Ltd., however, said that more could be achieved if the federal government did away with the centralised security system.

The expert advocated the devolution of security power from the centralised system to the creation of state policing for better results in tackling insecurity to the barest minimum.

“The security agencies are trying their best, but the government has to do better by restructuring the security architecture, which I have alluded to severally in the past.

“The centralised security architecture we have, whereby all power of security is in the hands of one person, the Inspector-General of Police (I-GP), is not working.

“There should be a devolution of security power to the state and to the local government for effective policing; that is what we need,” he said.

Ibadin said that crime was local, and when those who were meant to control it are far from where the crime is committed, it becomes very difficult to control.

“For instance, if a crime is committed in my village, you will have to call the I-GP to come and solve the problem, which is not the best approach.

“When local crime happens, the first point of contact should be the Divisional Police Officer or the Local Government Area chairman of my village.

“They are the ones to be held accountable for the village crime, but you find out that you can’t even hold them accountable because of the centralised system we operate,” he said.

The expert said that the devolution of power to state policing and local government policing is the only way forward towards effectively tackling crime in the country.

He commended the Lagos State government’s efforts towards tackling insecurity by providing the needed infrastructure and resources, which had helped in curbing crime in the state.

“In fact, if the governors in Nigeria invested money the way the Lagos State government is investing in security, crime would reduce drastically in other states,” Ibadin said.

The expert also said that the clashes between security agencies had reduced drastically and were not as rampant as they used to be.

He commended the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and the service chiefs for their input in addressing the problem among the various agencies.

“You can’t eradicate it completely, but you can only control it and reduce such incidences to the barest minimum, which they have tried to do.

“I once suggested to the federal government to set up an interagency discipline commission that will be headed by security experts and not former law enforcement officers.

“Also, security agencies can have joint trainings together, just as we have in NYSC where students come together after they have graduated, irrespective of the school attended, for training,” Ibadin said.

He said that if this could be replicated in the security architecture to accommodate various security agencies, it would further promote camaraderie and foster oneness among them.

“The federal government has actually initiated that step, and I must commend President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“He is a listening president, and in all fairness, he is carrying out these initiatives according to the scale of preference,” the expert said. (NAN