ABSTRACT

Abstract

Nigerian polity in recent times is plunged in diverse security crises. Hardly any region in the federation is spared from insecurity vortex spreading like a wild fire. Resultantly, many lives and properties have been lost and destroyed, while many people are internally displaced. Curtailing these security crises by the centralised Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has proved more daunting. The study examined the imperatives of state policing system as a panacea to insecurity mantra facing Nigeria's federation in the Fourth Republic between 1999 and 2018. It employed mixed method research design. Data collected through primary and secondary sources were analysed using Chi-square (c²) statistics and content analysis. Our findings revealed that the NPF has not significantly curtailed insecurity dilemma caused by structural imbalance of the Nigerian state; hence the adoption of State police will significantly curb intimidating security challenges in the Fourth Republic. The study concluded that since the NPF has failed to tame escalating wave of security crises annihilating lives and general welfare of the populace, State police seems a more attractive option. It recommended that in order to guarantee a decentralised policing system capable of adequate security of lives and property, the ninth National Assembly and State Assemblies should prioritise restructuring the current federal structure with a view to empowering the States to establish their own polices for a better and robust security architecture.