Retired ACP Rabiu Warns Against State Police, Cites Tribal Bias, Threat to National Unity

By Tgnews Reporter

A retired senior police officer, Sheriff Abubakar Rabiu, has cautioned against the establishment of state police in Nigeria, arguing that deep-rooted ethnic, tribal and religious divisions within the country could undermine the effectiveness of such a system and pose a threat to national unity.

Rabiu, who served in various parts of the country, including Lagos State, shared his views amid ongoing national discussions on the proposed creation of state police as a strategy to address Nigeria’s security challenges.

Drawing from his experience in the Nigeria Police Force, the retired Assistant Commissioner of Police said he witnessed what he described as tribal and regional discrimination during his years of service outside the North.

According to him, officers from northern Nigeria were often subjected to remarks suggesting they did not belong in certain parts of the country and should be redeployed to their regions of origin.

He argued that such experiences have made him skeptical about the idea of placing policing structures under state governments, warning that local control of security agencies could intensify ethnic and religious sentiments.

“I love the idea of state police, but considering the level of tribalism, religious divisions and intolerance that still exist, I do not believe we are mature enough for it at this time,” he stated.

Rabiu maintained that while proponents of state police present it as a solution to insecurity and insurgency, there may be broader implications that require careful consideration before any constitutional amendment is made.

He urged lawmakers and stakeholders to thoroughly examine the proposal before approving any legislation that would pave the way for state-controlled police formations.

The retired officer further suggested that if Nigerians desire greater regional autonomy, such discussions should be openly pursued through constitutional and legislative channels rather than through security reforms alone.

As an alternative, Rabiu called for comprehensive reforms of the existing policing structure, emphasizing the need for improved funding, modern security equipment, enhanced welfare packages, and better living conditions for police personnel and other security agencies.

According to him, strengthening the capacity of the current security architecture would yield better results in addressing crime and insecurity across the country.

He warned that creating state police without first addressing underlying issues of ethnic and religious mistrust could have far-reaching consequences for national cohesion.

The debate over state police has remained a prominent national issue, with supporters arguing that decentralised policing would improve intelligence gathering and local security response, while critics fear it could be abused by political actors and deepen existing divisions.

Rabiu’s intervention adds to the growing national conversation as policymakers continue to weigh the potential benefits and risks of introducing state police in Nigeria.