Retired Assistant Inspector General of Police Wilson Inalegwu has warned that Nigeria’s proposed state police system could fail if recruitment is driven by political interests instead of merit.
According to the Daily Sun, Inalegwu said the success of decentralised policing would depend on creating a professional, impartial and accountable force protected from political interference.
He expressed concern that state governments could recruit political loyalists, vigilante members or thugs into the proposed police structure, arguing that such a move would undermine public confidence and defeat the objective of state policing.
“We are praying that they will not use members of vigilante groups, political thugs or supporters of political parties to form this new police force,” he said.
Inalegwu stressed that transparent recruitment, strong legal safeguards and independent oversight would be essential to preventing abuse. He also maintained that the Nigeria Police Force’s challenges are largely due to inadequate funding, poor logistics and manpower shortages rather than a lack of competence, warning that weak institutions could leave state police vulnerable to political manipulation.
