Attorney Liborous Oshoma has endorsed the formation of state-level police forces in Nigeria as a vital solution to escalating security threats. Despite this backing, he cautioned that granting governors total command over these new security units could be problematic.
Oshoma highlighted that the potential for executive overreach is a primary concern. Drawing parallels to the issues surrounding state-level electoral bodies, he noted that there is significant apprehension that governors might weaponize a state police force to harass political rivals or manipulate electoral outcomes.
To mitigate these risks, the lawyer proposed that the authority to hire, manage, and compensate officers should not lie exclusively in the hands of governors. He suggested forming an independent regulatory entity tasked with managing recruitment, conduct, and operational standards to shield the force from political bias.
Although governors serve as the primary security leads for their states, Oshoma argued this role should not translate into absolute oversight. He proposed the formation of a State Police Commission featuring members from media outlets, professional associations, and civil society groups to ensure broader accountability.
Despite his warnings, Oshoma remains convinced that shifting away from a centralized system is essential for better intelligence collection and community protection. He emphasized that the process will necessitate formal constitutional adjustments to expand upon the existing authority of the Nigeria Police Force.
