Former Inspector-General of Police Mike Okiro has attributed the growing demand for state-level police forces in Nigeria to systemic failures within the federal Nigeria Police Force, citing chronic underfunding, understaffing, and inadequate equipment as root causes.
Okiro’s remarks come as political and public pressure mounts on the federal government to overhaul the country’s security architecture.
The former police chief argued that the current centralized model is ill-equipped to handle localized security challenges, fueling calls for a decentralized approach that would empower state governments to manage their own police units.
The critique aligns with recent concerns raised by other political figures regarding the government’s handling of insecurity.
Earlier reports highlighted allegations that some abductions were being carried out by individuals suspected to be police officers, damaging the administration’s credibility and complicating efforts to secure political support for its security agenda.
In Oyo State, opposition figures have similarly criticized the state government’s response to a surge in kidnappings, demanding urgent and more effective measures to restore public safety.