The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese on the Niger, Rt. Rev. Dr. Owen Nwokolo, has cautioned against the establishment of state police without first tackling corruption, warning that the proposed security structure could be weaponised by politicians to oppress perceived opponents.
Nwokolo sounded the warning during an interview marking his 10th anniversary as Bishop, arguing that although state police could strengthen efforts to combat insecurity, entrenched corruption remains a major obstacle to its success.
The cleric said handing policing powers to state governments without addressing abuse of power and corruption would likely create another avenue for political persecution.
“Ordinarily, state police would be a solution to insecurity. However, if corruption persists, those in authority might misuse the state police to victimize their adversaries, worsening the situation,” he said.
He stressed that decentralising policing alone would not solve Nigeria’s security crisis unless the country’s value system is reformed.
“If you transfer the problem from one level to another, it can still be misused. Innocent people will suffer more. If you have any conflicts with someone, those in power could leverage the police to commit grave injustices,” he added.
The bishop further expressed concern over reports of abuses allegedly committed by some existing local security outfits, noting that some operatives have been accused of using excessive force against citizens.
According to him, Nigeria’s greatest challenge is not its system of government but the widespread corruption that has permeated virtually every sector of society.
Reflecting on successive administrations since independence, Nwokolo lamented that promises of reform have repeatedly failed to translate into meaningful progress because corruption, insecurity and nepotism continue to undermine governance.
“We have always had governments making promises. The major issue may not be the current administration. We have an endemic problem of corruption that has infiltrated society,” he stated.
He maintained that unless corruption is decisively confronted, structural reforms such as the creation of state police may fail to deliver the desired improvement in security and justice.
