A.A. Haruna Ayagi, leader of the Coalition of International Human Rights Organisations in Kano State, has spoken out against the plan to create state-level police forces. Following the Senate’s recent approval of the State Police Bill, Ayagi warned that this shift could worsen existing ethnic tensions and lead to significant political interference.
In an interview with DAILY POST, Ayagi argued that Nigeria is not currently prepared for such a drastic change. He expressed concern that decentralized police forces might prioritize local biases, potentially leading to unfair treatment based on specific customs or regional attitudes. Furthermore, he highlighted the risk that governors could turn these forces into instruments for silencing opposition and manipulating election outcomes.
Operational friction is another major concern raised by the activist. He suggested that overlapping duties between federal and state agencies could paralyze law enforcement and create constant jurisdictional fights. Additionally, Ayagi pointed out that formalizing state police might demoralize volunteer groups, such as the Civilian Joint Task Force, who have played a critical role in local security efforts. The Senate’s recent decision has sparked renewed national discourse on the risks and benefits of modifying the nation’s security architecture.
