Creation of State Police and its Constitutionality: An Imperative for the Nigerian State

This paper makes a case for the creation of state police in Nigeria because of the country’s ongoing security challenges. It states that the police force is under the control of the federal government. It addresses the Nigerian police’s plethora of problems such as inadequate manpower among others which have resulted in their incapacity to maintain peace and order and safeguard people’s lives and property. The case for the establishment of state police is justified and well-founded because states are closer to the people and will be able to prevent alleged violent criminal offences. The paper also draws inferences from the United States in supporting the creation of state police as it exists there and the police have been playing its role in maintaining law and order. It states that for state police to become a reality, the provisions of section 214 CFRN 1999 should be amended to accommodate it.