Nigeria is currently engulfed in a multifaceted security crisis stemming from decades of developmental failure, poor governance, and deep socio-economic inequality. From petty crimes and industrial-scale organized syndicates to violent extremist movements, separatist insurgencies, and militant agitations, insecurity in the country has reached alarming and epidemic proportions posing existential threats to communities nationwide.
Nigeria’s diversity, vast population, and geographical spread combined with mass poverty, youth unemployment, and the collapse of basic social services have created fertile ground for crime and violent mobilization.
Gaskia argues that the current unitary, centralized police system is fundamentally ill-suited to Nigeria’s federal structure. “The continued existence of a single, monolithic police force is a recipe for failure,” he asserts. Instead, Nigeria must urgently embrace decentralized and devolved policing one that reflects local realities, fosters accountability, and enhances community trust.
To achieve this, Mr. Gaskia proposes sweeping constitutional and legislative reforms that will allow for the establishment of multiple policing agencies across the federation.
He recommends the creation of at least 37 autonomous police forces, a Federal Police Force and 36 State Police Forces each empowered to address the unique security challenges within its jurisdiction.
This reform, he emphasizes, will require a constitutional amendment and the enactment of two key national laws:
1. The Federal Police Act (an amendment to the existing Police Act 2020).
2. A National Policing Act, which will define minimum standards and operational criteria for all state-level police agencies.
The National Policing Act, Gaskia explains, must mandate the following: Recruitment based on residency, not indigeneship, to strengthen inclusivity and local trust. Professionalism and welfare investment for personnel. Independent citizens’ oversight mechanisms, such as ombudsman commissions.
Adoption of Human Rights Protocols in all policing activities. Inter-jurisdictional collaboration, particularly for tackling cross-border crimes. Clear role delineation between Federal and State Police in joint operations.
Furthermore, the Act should harmonize the relationship between the Federal Police and other agencies with policing mandates including Customs, Corrections, Road Safety, Civil Defence, Fire Service, and VIO ensuring coordination under a unified national security framework.
Gaskia underscores the need to redesign police operational structures to reflect both geography and threat-specific challenges. This includes creating specialized units for: School and election safety, Intelligence and human rights monitoring, Crowd management and community relations, Counter-terrorism and major crimes
He advocates the reconfiguration of the Mobile Police Force into a highly trained tactical unit for rapid response and special operations, while encouraging State Police Commands to establish their own specialized rapid deployment units.
At the community level, Community Safety Watches should be institutionalized under the supervision of local councils to ensure participatory policing. “Community policing must move from rhetoric to practice,” he insists.
To prevent abuse and ensure accountability, Mr. Gaskia calls for robust independent oversight frameworks. These include the establishment of Ombudsman Commissions with representation from civil society, community groups, trade unions, faith-based organizations, the private sector, and all arms of government.
He further proposes clear and accessible mechanisms for reporting misconduct, investigating abuses, and enforcing disciplinary actions against erring officers.
Human rights protection, he adds, must become a core policing principle, not a peripheral concern. Both federal and state police agencies should institutionalize Human Rights Protocols guiding conduct, with the National Human Rights Commission empowered to investigate and prosecute violations arising from police operations.
For decentralization to be effective, Mr. Gaskia recommends that policing, internal security, and corrections be moved from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List, enabling states and local governments to play active roles in managing and overseeing law enforcement.
Local Governments, he adds, should be constitutionally empowered to participate in community policing, ensuring that security management begins from the grassroots.
Mr. Gaskia emphasizes that policing reform alone cannot solve Nigeria’s insecurity. True security, he insists, is rooted in human welfare and social justice.
“Law enforcement is necessary, but the foundation of security lies in meeting citizens’ basic needs healthcare, education, jobs, and dignity,” he notes.
He calls for a paradigm shift from state-centric security to human-centric security, anchored on the Human Security framework where the well-being and empowerment of citizens form the ultimate guarantee of peace and stability.
Mr. Jaye Gaskia is a governance reform advocate, public affairs analyst, and civil society leader with decades of experience in policy development, civic engagement, and democratic governance. His works focus on institutional reform, social justice, and the intersection of human security and development.