The United States government has said that it would not dictate to the Nigerian government on what to do regarding the proposed State Police structure to stem the tide of insecurity in the country.
The Director of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, Jason Smith, stated this at a stakeholders’ dialogue on insecurity and state policing, in Abuja.
Smith said the Government of United States acknowledged the importance of dialogue in addressing critical challenges, including insecurity facing Nigeria.
He said: “The U.S. government has a rich history, spanning over 20 years of collaborating with our partners in Nigeria to bolster law enforcement and address criminal justice issues.
“We acknowledge the array of challenges currently confronting Nigeria. As previously mentioned, both countries operate under similar federal systems, yet approach law enforcement differently. Other nations have their own unique methods.
“My purpose here is not to dictate solutions to Nigeria, nor to prescribe a perfect remedy for enhancing service provision or policing.
“There is always room for improvement, but it must stem from a solution intrinsic to Nigeria. I am particularly impressed by the diverse array of stakeholders present today—civil society members investing their time and energy in a dialogue about how Nigeria can collectively address these challenges and generate recommendations for enhancing policing.
“Police forces are integral to any nation, serving as vital components of government infrastructure responsible for upholding and enforcing the law, thereby ensuring public safety and fostering stability.
“They play a pivotal role in establishing the rule of law necessary for a nation to reach its full potential.
“Ultimately, whatever path Nigeria chooses to pursue, I am confident that we will eagerly seize opportunities to continue collaborating with our Nigerian partners.
“Together, we will work towards finding solutions and supporting Nigeria’s efforts to enhance policing services, deliver better public services to its citizens, and foster trust in its institutions and the rule of law.”
On his part, the Executive Director of Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Okechukwu Nwanguma, said the urgency of the debate, which is driven by escalating kidnappings, banditry, and perceived inadequacies of the current police structure, should be taken seriously.
Nwanguma said the panel on police reform had advised that any move towards state policing must adhere to principles of operational autonomy and professional practice.
He stated that as the National Assembly considers legislation to establish state police, the dialogue aimed to incorporate diverse perspectives to find the most effective solution for policing and security challenges in Nigeria.
“The decision by the president and state governors to establish state police is a response to these challenges. However, the debate is complex, with concerns over potential abuse of power and politicization,” he said.
Also speaking, the Keynote Speaker, Professor Etanibi Alemika, who dissected the the intersection of democratisation, decentralisation, and police effectiveness, said parents and guardians should wake up to their responsibilities of explaining to their children and wards the danger of criminality.
