By Justice Osai Ahiakwo
The recent resignation of the Inspector General of Police may be linked to administrative or political pressures, but the more troubling issue is the weakness of the country’s overall security architecture.
Changing leadership, though as important as it may be, and in the face of current reality, does not automatically fix deep-rooted structural problems within the policing system.
Calls to recreate the policing framework through the establishment of state police should not be approached as a political giveaway or a response to sectional demands.
Such a step must be carefully weighed against the broader imperatives of constitutional order.
National unity, the integrity of command and control must not be compromised.
Under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), policing is placed on the Exclusive Legislative List, with authority vested in the Federal Government.
This centralized design was intended to guard against the misuse of coercive power by sub-national actors, a concern that remains valid in a system where democratic institutions are still evolving.
What is needed, therefore, is not a rushed dismantling of the existing structure, but a deliberate effort to strengthen it.
A functional policing system must be professionally structured. It must be well-resourced, and firmly guided by clear lines of authority.
The Nigeria Police Act, 2020 already offers a modern legal framework that emphasizes accountability, community policing, professionalism, and improved welfare.
The real challenge has not been the absence of laws. It is all about weak implementation, poor funding discipline, and fluctuating political commitment.
President Bola Tinubu in considering the appointment of a substantive Inspector General of Police should look out for enforcing an effective policing system.
One which depends heavily on leadership grounded in discipline, merit, and operational independence.
The office of the Inspector General must operate strictly within the law, shielded from undue political interference.
It must be fully accountable through recognized oversight institutions such as the Police Service Commission and the National Assembly.
Without this balance, neither a federal police structure nor any future state-controlled model can deliver sustainable security.
At its core, Nigeria’s security crisis is institutional rather than merely structural.
Before extending coercive powers to the states, the Federal Government must demonstrate that the current framework, anchored by the Nigeria Police Force, can function effectively under the rule of law.
Reform efforts should focus on discipline, intelligence-led policing, inter-agency coordination, and strict adherence to constitutional provisions.
Anything less risks creating multiple centres of force without addressing the fundamental drivers of insecurity.
Unlike countries such as the United States of America, Germany, and Japan, where policing structures are supported by robust institutions, clear standards, and adequate manpower, Nigeria continues to struggle with an overstretched police workforce attempting to secure a population of over 200 million people.
Until this imbalance is addressed, structural changes alone will offer little relief.
Ahiakwo is a legal expert and public issues analyst based in Calabar, Cross River State
