Address Underlying Causes Of Crime To Make State Police Effective: Femi Falana To FG

By Ayodele Oni

As legislative finishes are being put on state police, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has said that the reform will not end insecurity unless poverty, unemployment and social inequality are effectively addressed.

Falana’s remarks coming amid nationwide debate over the recently passed State Police Bill, warned that creating additional policing structures without tackling the underlying causes of crime would have little impact on the country’s worsening security situation.

According to him, insecurity in Nigeria is driven largely by widespread poverty, youth unemployment and economic hardship, stressing that governments must prioritise improving citizens’ welfare alongside security reforms.

The senior lawyer also cautioned against the abuse of state police by political office holders, recalling that regional police were scrapped during the First Republic over allegations of political intimidation and misuse.

He urged the Federal Government to put in place strong constitutional safeguards, accountability mechanisms and independent oversight before implementing the new policing system.

Falana described the current State Police Bill as inadequate, arguing that more comprehensive legal and institutional reforms are needed to prevent abuse and ensure the proposed security outfit serves the interests of Nigerians.

Falana, however, maintained that lasting security can only be achieved by combining effective policing with policies that reduce poverty, create jobs and improve living standards.

His intervention comes as President Tinubu’s administration continues to champion state policing as a key strategy to address rising cases of kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and other violent crimes across the country.