A retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Alapini, has thrown his support behind the proposed establishment of state police in Nigeria, arguing that the country must be willing to embrace innovative security reforms if it hopes to effectively tackle rising insecurity and strengthen grassroots policing.
Speaking on Wednesday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, Alapini said growing calls for state police should be viewed as an opportunity to improve Nigeria’s security architecture rather than a development to be feared.
According to the former police chief, no meaningful reform can succeed without a willingness to explore new ideas, stressing that concerns over possible challenges should not prevent the country from testing solutions capable of improving public safety.
While acknowledging that the existing centralised policing structure has not entirely failed, Alapini maintained that there is always room for improvement in governance and security administration.
He noted that the increasing complexity of security threats across the country—including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal conflicts—requires fresh approaches beyond traditional policing methods.
According to him, Nigerians should not be reluctant to embrace reforms that could potentially deliver better outcomes at the local level.
The retired AIG argued that state police could complement existing federal structures and bring security operations closer to communities where crimes occur.
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Alapini said the current security realities facing Nigeria make it necessary to explore alternative models capable of enhancing intelligence gathering, rapid response and community engagement.
He stressed that countries confronting evolving security threats must continuously review and adapt their policing systems to meet emerging challenges.
According to him, maintaining existing structures without considering reforms may limit the country’s ability to respond effectively to modern security threats.
He described the campaign for state police as a welcome development that deserves serious consideration rather than outright rejection.
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One of the strongest arguments in favour of state police, according to Alapini, is its potential to revive community policing and strengthen local intelligence networks.
He explained that officers recruited and deployed within their communities are more likely to understand local dynamics, identify suspicious activities and build trust with residents.
Drawing from his experience as Commissioner of Police in Edo State, the retired police chief referenced the traditional “Edionwere” system, under which community leaders maintain detailed knowledge of residents and newcomers within their neighbourhoods.
He lamented that many communities have lost the close-knit surveillance culture that once enabled residents to quickly identify strangers and unusual activities.
According to him, restoring such community-based security awareness could significantly improve crime prevention efforts across the country.
Alapini argued that effective policing begins at the grassroots level and requires active participation from local communities.
He noted that Nigeria’s administrative structure, which includes states, local governments and wards, provides an existing framework that can support community-driven security initiatives.
According to him, if residents become more invested in monitoring activities within their immediate environments, identifying threats and sharing information with security agencies, the country would witness significant improvements in public safety.
He stressed that security should not be viewed solely as the responsibility of law enforcement agencies but as a collective responsibility involving all citizens.
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Addressing concerns that governors could use state police to harass political opponents, Alapini acknowledged that such fears are understandable but insisted they should not derail efforts to improve security.
He noted that allegations of political interference already exist under the current centralised policing arrangement, suggesting that the possibility of abuse is not unique to state police.
According to him, any shortcomings that emerge during implementation can be addressed through legislation, oversight mechanisms and institutional safeguards.
He maintained that reforms should be evaluated based on their potential benefits rather than hypothetical fears.
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The former AIG explained that available proposals for state police do not grant governors absolute powers over appointments and operations.
According to him, the emerging framework suggests that appointments would be handled through state police commissions and oversight bodies responsible for screening and recommending qualified candidates.
While governors may have input in the process, he said the final decisions would involve broader institutional participation designed to ensure accountability and professionalism.
He argued that such structures could help reduce the risk of political manipulation while maintaining operational independence.
Alapini also dismissed concerns that state police would create conflicts with federal law enforcement agencies.
He expressed confidence that responsibilities can be clearly defined, with federal police focusing on national security matters, federal institutions and inter-state crimes, while state police concentrate on local law enforcement and community security.
According to him, clearly delineated responsibilities would enable both structures to complement one another rather than compete for authority.
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Beyond policing reforms, Alapini advocated stronger prosecution mechanisms and quicker judicial processes for criminal cases.
He argued that the certainty and speed of punishment remain among the strongest deterrents against criminal activities.
The retired police chief commended efforts by some state governments to strengthen criminal justice systems and urged authorities across the country to ensure that offenders are prosecuted promptly.
According to him, effective law enforcement requires not only arrests but also swift and transparent judicial processes capable of delivering justice.
Alapini concluded by stressing that no policing model can succeed without active citizen participation.
He called on Nigerians to revive communal responsibility, become more vigilant and take greater interest in activities within their neighbourhoods.
According to him, sustainable security can only be achieved when communities, security agencies and governments work together toward a common goal of protecting lives and property.
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