State Police Must Come With Human Rights Safeguards — Ojukwu

The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chief Anthony Ojukwu, has advocated the urgent establishment of State Police, saying decentralising the nation’s policing system would improve security, reduce response time and strengthen protection for citizens.

Ojukwu made the call in Port Harcourt on Tuesday during a panel session at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), themed: “Beyond Limits.”

He said Nigeria’s centralised policing structure had become overstretched, resulting in delayed responses to security threats and leaving many citizens vulnerable.

“If you don’t have State Police, you can never have adequate security. We have over 200 million people in Nigeria with far less number of policemen to police them. The response time is so long that we only live by God’s grace,” he said.

According to him, State Police would allow law enforcement agencies to respond more effectively to local security challenges because officers operating within states and communities would have a better understanding of the terrain and the people.

“With State Police, the governors will have the wherewithal to respond quickly. The police will be more effective because they know the terrain; they know the people,” Ojukwu stated.

However, the NHRC boss warned that decentralising policing must not become an avenue for political interference or abuse of citizens’ rights. He insisted that any State Police framework must be backed by strong safeguards, accountability mechanisms and independent oversight.

“We must insist that when the National Policing Bill comes, it must be well drafted. There must be a board that runs it. There must be oversight. Otherwise, it will become another problem,” he cautioned.

Ojukwu stressed that effective policing should not be judged solely by the number of arrests or suspects apprehended, but also by the extent to which security agencies uphold human dignity, due process, the rule of law and fundamental rights.

He urged lawyers and citizens to remain vigilant and hold security agencies accountable, particularly in cases involving arrest and detention.

“Lawyers should be the people to insist on the right thing to do. If the police is going to arrest anybody, insist on the right procedure. Don’t let them abuse power. We have to watch them,” he said.

The NHRC Executive Secretary maintained that security and human rights should not be treated as opposing objectives, arguing that lasting security could only be achieved through a system anchored on professionalism, legality, accountability and respect for fundamental rights.

He said persistent insecurity and slow responses to emergencies had weakened public confidence in security institutions, leaving many Nigerians with the feeling that their safety depended largely on chance.

“Our people live by God’s grace because the system is not working. That must change,” he added.

Ojukwu therefore urged Nigeria to move beyond an overstretched policing structure and adopt a system capable of responding more efficiently to local security realities while ensuring that the rights of citizens remain protected.

“We cannot continue with a system where only a few police officers are expected to secure millions. It is time to go beyond limits and give Nigerians the security they deserve; securely, effectively and accountably,” he said.