Retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Wilson Inalegwu has issued a stark warning that Nigeria's proposed state police system will fail if it is populated by political thugs, vigilante members, or loyalists of political parties. Speaking on Channels Television's The Morning Brief on Monday, June 29, the former Kogi State Commissioner of Police emphasized that the success of state police hinges on a transparent recruitment process that guarantees professionalism, competence, and political neutrality.
Recruitment Must Be Transparent and Professional
“We are praying that they will not use members of vigilante, members of thugs, supporters of political parties or individuals to form the new class of this police force,” Inalegwu said. He acknowledged that establishing state police would boost manpower and strengthen policing across the country, but warned that the greatest risk lies in how the proposed force is constituted. Recruiting individuals with partisan affiliations or vigilante backgrounds, he argued, would undermine credibility and transform state police into a tool for political interests rather than public service.
Historical Lessons from Native Authority Police
Drawing from Nigeria's history, Inalegwu recalled concerns raised during the era of the Native Authority Police. “Majority of the police in the native authority were formed from supporters of political parties and were formed from thugs and that was a fear that was expressed in 1958 where the minorities expressed fear,” he said. He stressed the need for transparent recruitment, strict professional standards, and effective oversight mechanisms to ensure state police operate within the law and remain accountable.
Nigeria Police Force Underfunded but Capable
The retired police chief also defended the Nigeria Police Force, arguing that its challenges stem primarily from inadequate funding, insufficient manpower, and poor logistics rather than incompetence. “The Nigerian police staff today is grossly underfunded and logistics are not provided, otherwise the Nigerian police force is a fantastic organization, it is competent and able to do the job of policing in Nigeria,” Inalegwu said. He asserted that the force remains structurally capable of carrying out its constitutional responsibilities but has been hampered by years of underfunding and inadequate operational support. Shortages in personnel, equipment, and logistics have left officers overstretched and under-equipped, he added, noting that improved investment in manpower, infrastructure, and officers' welfare would significantly enhance effectiveness and restore public confidence.
Weak Institutions Risk Political Interference
Inalegwu also expressed concern about the country's institutional capacity, warning that state police could become vulnerable to political interference if governance structures remain weak. “Our institutions are very weak and are not strong enough to withstand the torment of desperate politicians,” he said. He maintained that strong institutions are essential to prevent state-controlled police forces from being used as instruments of intimidation instead of impartial law enforcement. Highlighting the importance of policing to national development, Inalegwu said an effective and well-resourced police force is critical to Nigeria's progress. “The police is a critical institution, an institution that has primacy on internal security, on public management, on crime prevention. This is a critical institution worldwide and by the time we begin to have an effective police force that is catered for, the development of Nigeria will begin to rise. Nigeria will only develop with an effective police force,” he said.
Senate Defends State Police Bill as National Priority
His comments come days after the Senate defended the passage of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (State Police) Bill, 2026. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele described the proposed legislation as “a child of necessity rather than political expediency” and “a product of national consensus, not cynicism.” In a statement, Bamidele said the establishment of state police has become an urgent national priority in response to Nigeria's growing security challenges, adding that the proposal has evolved over time rather than being a recent initiative. Despite criticism from some quarters, the Senate leader expressed confidence that the bill enjoys broad public support and would significantly improve security across the country's states if eventually implemented.
