Former Cross River state governor and presidential candidate of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Donald Duke, has called for the establishment of state and local government police. He believes Nigeria's highly centralized security system is ineffective in confronting terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other crimes. According to Duke, effective security depends more on intelligence gathered within communities than on the deployment of armed personnel after crimes have occurred.
Duke noted that Nigeria has failed to substantially redesign its security architecture since the end of the Civil War in 1970. He emphasized that the country's security system needs to be localized, citing the recent creation of more military divisions as insufficient. Duke proposed that the judiciary be strengthened and stringent safeguards be introduced against abuse if state and local government police are established.
The PRP presidential candidate dismissed concerns that governors could turn state police into instruments of political intimidation. He argued that the federal police have also faced allegations of being used by presidents and other powerful officeholders. Duke suggested that guidelines be set up and stringent measures be put in place to prevent abuse.
Duke emphasized that intelligence gathering should be the principal responsibility of decentralized police formations. He believes that residents are better positioned to identify suspicious movements and emerging threats within their communities. According to Duke, 80% of security is intelligence, while only about 20% is enforcement.
Duke expressed disappointment that Nigeria has failed to infiltrate Boko Haram and develop reliable advance intelligence on the terrorist organization after years of insurgency. He described this as a shame and emphasized that Nigeria ought to have infiltrated their ranks by now to know what they will do next.
Duke compared Nigeria's structure with the United States, where the National Guard gives individual states access to locally based security formations while remaining subject to defined federal authority. He noted that the US has decentralized security, which allows for more effective policing.
The former governor also attributed the expansion of terrorism, kidnapping, and banditry to extreme poverty and the absence of legitimate economic opportunities. He emphasized that policing reforms must be supported by education, employment, and wider measures aimed at making citizens economically productive.
Key points
- Donald Duke proposes the establishment of state and local government police to tackle insecurity in Nigeria.
- He emphasizes that effective security depends on intelligence gathered within communities.
- Duke attributes the expansion of terrorism, kidnapping, and banditry to extreme poverty and lack of legitimate economic opportunities.
