State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule - Politics

State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule - Politics - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum › Nairaland General › Politics › State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule (5401 Views)

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State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by Ofunaofu(op): 10:14pm On Jun 25

A former Commissioner of Police, Balarabe Sule (rtd.), has warned that the newly legislated state police architecture will collapse under the weight of funding deficits and executive abuse across many states of the federation.

Sule, who spoke with the Vanguard on Wednesday, was reacting to the Senate’s passage of the executive bill establishing state police, cautioning that despite its crime-reduction potential, Nigeria remains unprepared for the transition.

“I can very well tell you that many states will not have the resources to equip and pay remuneration for those to be employed to function effectively,” he said.

The retired officer identified five fundamental threats to the policy’s success: inadequate funding, corruption, abuse of power by governors, clash of interests and lack of operational uniformity across the federation.

On corruption, Sule drew a direct line between poor remuneration and professional compromise.

“When you don’t pay them well and as at when due, they will be exposed to corruption. You don’t expect an officer who is not well paid and equipped to perform optimally,” he warned.

He expressed particular concern over political interference, fearing that state chief executives would weaponise the new force against perceived opponents.

“I also fear that state police will be subject to abuse by the governors who pay them, irrespective of the checks and balances,” he said.

Sule noted that the absence of uniform operational standards across 36 constitutionally distinct states would further deepen these fractures, arguing that each state’s peculiar economic realities made a one-size-fits-all policing model unworkable.

Despite his reservations, the former commissioner acknowledged the inherent value of community-based policing, noting that officers recruited from their localities would possess invaluable local intelligence.

“In your locality, you practically know everyone and where crimes are likely to be committed.

“Recruitment will be done in such a way that only indigenous people will be posted to their area,” he said

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/06/state-police-will-face-funding-crisis-abuse-by-governors-ex-police-boss/

7 Likes 1 Share

Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by obeegee: 10:16pm On Jun 25

The federal police now does not face executive abuse?

21 Likes

Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by lawani(m): 10:24pm On Jun 25

Some not all. You can't just paint all states with the same brush. Some will use the state police to end banditry within their jurisdiction and that's a fact

21 Likes 1 Share

Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by Eba50: 10:48pm On Jun 25

lawani:
Some not all. You can't just paint all states with the same brush. Some will use the state police to end banditry within their jurisdiction and that's a fact

if u know how power hungry these governors are eh. the downside of it is that all governors must win next tenure elections, but there will be serious oppression

5 Likes

Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by lawani(m): 10:52pm On Jun 25

Eba50:
if u know how power hungry these governors are eh. the downside of it is that all governors must win next tenure elections, but there will be serious oppression

Control over police does not guarantee you will win elections. Though the best way is to allow local government police and private companies for profit armed with military grade weapons

3 Likes

Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by budaatum: 10:55pm On Jun 25

lawani:
Some not all. You can't just paint all states with the same brush. Some will use the state police to end banditry within their jurisdiction and that's a fact

Indeed, not all states. We however must recognise that some states are not even paying state workers salaries, and consider what the state police will do if they are not paid.

Also, state police would likely be limited to their state and might not cross the state border. How would they deal with criminals who cross the border into other states? Who arrests me if I commit a crime in Kano and run to Osun State? Which state will pay for the policing resource used? And what do they intend to do with the current police force?

All these and other issues should be addressed so state police works if implemented.

6 Likes 1 Share

Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by RealityKings1: 11:10pm On Jun 25

After the first 3 years, they'll be the ones tormenting citizens and setting people up just to obtain money...
Best way to tackle the case of kidnapping is to fund the military

11 Likes 1 Share

Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by RealityKings1: 11:12pm On Jun 25

After there are no more bandits or terrorists to fight, what next? What becomes of the state police?

1 Like

Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by lawani(m): 11:27pm On Jun 25

budaatum:
Indeed, not all states. We however must recognise that some states are not even paying state workers salaries, and consider what the state police will do if they are not paid.

Also, state police would likely be limited to their state and might not cross the state border. How would they deal with criminals who cross the border into other states? Who arrests me if I commit a crime in Kano and run to Osun State? Which state will pay for the policing resource used? And what do they intend to do with the current police force?

All these and other issues should be addressed so state police works if implemented.

You arrest and try the ones you trap in your state and work with the federal police for the ones that flee to other states just like the federal police have to work with the interpol sometimes

Then if a state have money to spend on Hajj and etc but none for the police, that's their business but if anything happens they should blame their governors

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Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by gr8ofnnetwork(m): 11:35pm On Jun 25

They have started. The lovers of insecurities are gradually speaking up. They don't care as long as their ambition is undisrupted

11 Likes 1 Share

Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by slivertongue: 11:45pm On Jun 25

The Federal police is facing same

3 Likes

Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by Kdon2: 11:50pm On Jun 25

Ofunaofu:
A former Commissioner of Police, Balarabe Sule (rtd.), has warned that the newly legislated state police architecture will collapse under the weight of funding deficits and executive abuse across many states of the federation.

Sule, who spoke with the Vanguard on Wednesday, was reacting to the Senate’s passage of the executive bill establishing state police, cautioning that despite its crime-reduction potential, Nigeria remains unprepared for the transition.

“I can very well tell you that many states will not have the resources to equip and pay remuneration for those to be employed to function effectively,” he said.

The retired officer identified five fundamental threats to the policy’s success: inadequate funding, corruption, abuse of power by governors, clash of interests and lack of operational uniformity across the federation.

On corruption, Sule drew a direct line between poor remuneration and professional compromise.

“When you don’t pay them well and as at when due, they will be exposed to corruption. You don’t expect an officer who is not well paid and equipped to perform optimally,” he warned.

He expressed particular concern over political interference, fearing that state chief executives would weaponise the new force against perceived opponents.

“I also fear that state police will be subject to abuse by the governors who pay them, irrespective of the checks and balances,” he said.

Sule noted that the absence of uniform operational standards across 36 constitutionally distinct states would further deepen these fractures, arguing that each state’s peculiar economic realities made a one-size-fits-all policing model unworkable.

Despite his reservations, the former commissioner acknowledged the inherent value of community-based policing, noting that officers recruited from their localities would possess invaluable local intelligence.

“In your locality, you practically know everyone and where crimes are likely to be committed.

“Recruitment will be done in such a way that only indigenous people will be posted to their area,” he said

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/06/state-police-will-face-funding-crisis-abuse-by-governors-ex-police-boss/

Those feeding fat on federal police are finally speaking. But God will not let their voice be heard. Amen

6 Likes

Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by budaatum: 11:54pm On Jun 25

lawani:
You arrest and try the ones you trap in your state and work with the federal police for the ones that flee to other states just like the federal police have to work with the interpol sometimes

Then if a state have money to spend on Hajj and etc but none for the police, that's their business but if anything happens they should blame their governors

Unfortunately, I don't think the criminals and bandits in my state will only stay in my state, and it is very likely they come from my state to come do crime and banditry in your state, thereby making the incompetence in my state your state's business too just because my state stupidly spends state money on hajj.

Talking about hajj, I think I should go get a religion so my state can spend state money sending me on my own pilgrimage. I'll choose Mars as my god so they can pay Elon to send me to Mars.

Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by Wealthoptulent(m): 9:32am On Jun 26

Are they POLICE not @BVS£D themselves?

go and SEE THEM all OVER THERE

Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by EponObi(f): 9:33am On Jun 26*

That's no excuse.

We can't continue this way.

If not that our founders who wrote the constitution get choco for head, how can the Federal government, as a single entity, secure the entire Nigeria? With our massive landmass, 36 states plus FCT, with over 200 tribes? How is it possible to secure Zamfara, Kogi, Kebbi, Niger Delta while some elements are planning to kidnap teachers and students in Oyo state with their massive forest reserves, some of which I'm just learning are larger than the entire Lagos state.

Every state hangs their insecurity issues on Abuja, as if the security commands in Abuja are Homelander and Superman or Spiderman. We've not even talked about the terror insurgencies that is being fought at the same time against boko haram, isis, etc.

Tinubu took the right step. Decentralization of our security architecture is the way to go.

Even the USA being the most powerful and richest country in the world doesn't use our system of national security. States handle their own security and Washington does oversight, while controlling the national Guards (alone with the states), Army, Navy, Air Force etc.

The matter of implementation of state police will go the same way as economic development. Some states will do rubbish and others like Lagos state and FCT will thrive and excel. Some will fund their state police adequately and become a model for the entire nation.

For states that mess up implementation, their citizens should hold their governors responsible. Any state that wishes can continue funding mass marriage and hajj, while neglecting their own security, it's no problem. The states with serious governments will emerge stronger and more attractive for local and foreign investments.

Maybe, just maybe this is the right trigger to open the consciousness of the citizen that's their state governments also have a responsibility to them. Na everything we look to Abuja for.

State governors who fail in securing their states, if their citizens like, they can reelect them. Like I said, the serious ones will progress massively. Secure states will become the Meccas of Nigeria.

I know for a fact that Lagos state already have their plan and are heading straight to implementation. And I know many states will only start planning as of right now. To each their own.

Let the Federal government concentrate on securing the border and taking the fight to those boko and isis boys.

Better days ahead.

10 Likes

Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by Gotocourt: 9:34am On Jun 26

I've said this countless times, arm rural communities or vigilantes under military command or whatever.

Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by LibertyRep: 9:34am On Jun 26

Let's even try it first.

When we get ot the bridge, we'll figure out how to scale it.

7 Likes

Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by Gotocourt: 9:35am On Jun 26

Security votes is what governors loot angry

Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by Quest7777: 9:36am On Jun 26

More characters than needed

Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by Quest7777: 9:36am On Jun 26

More characters needed

Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by IsraeliAIRFORCE: 9:38am On Jun 26

Let them employ the number they can pay.

1 Like 1 Share

Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by simpleseyi: 9:41am On Jun 26

Ogun go kee that ex police commissioner. Bandits go wipe out his whole family

Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by gabbytabby: 9:43am On Jun 26

Una specialise in knocking things down. So what is your better idea.

Some state governors are fighting the FG let them do the better job kwo.

FG is ever ready to join hands with states. FG continues to handle defence, army, navy and airforce.

Ofunaofu:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/06/state-police-will-face-funding-crisis-abuse-by-governors-ex-police-boss/

Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by Image123(m): 9:43am On Jun 26

Hehehe. If Tinubu didn't make it work, they'd have complained to death about how he's holding power and how he's in charge of everything not making it work.
Now, responsibility don land, dem don dey open thread. State police is not by force. Those who know its value will use it. People wey no get vision except parasitic coveteousness of what is not theirs.

4 Likes 1 Share

Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by UrVillageChief: 9:44am On Jun 26*

budaatum:
Indeed, not all states. We however must recognise that some states are not even paying state workers salaries, and consider what the state police will do if they are not paid.

Also, state police would likely be limited to their state and might not cross the state border. How would they deal with criminals who cross the border into other states? Who arrests me if I commit a crime in Kano and run to Osun State? Which state will pay for the policing resource used? And what do they intend to do with the current police force?

All these and other issues should be addressed so state police works if implemented.

Your second paragraph shows you don’t know how the police work bro🤣
Even right now, who told you Kano police can just barge into Ekiti and arrest just anybody they want? No bro, it doesn’t work that way and I’m saying this from experience. I’ve driven police to arrest people in Abuja and Edo and in each case, the police had to first inform the headquarters of the State where the criminals resided before proceeding with anything. Even after arresting them, you must first take them to the headquarters for due clearance before you are allowed to bundle them out of the State.
Back to this State-policing Wahala, there must still be an elite unit called the Federal police and they will be answerable to only the President. Just like it’s done in the US, the federal police are superior to the State’s.

5 Likes 1 Share

Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by Skullminers1: 9:46am On Jun 26

I know that this Northern Politicians will never ever like this news because of their agenda which is to Islamise and Fulanise Nigeria using Federal credit power and securities like Military and Police to achieve that and that was why they always thwart every effort for State Police whenever it comes up in the House

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Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by franchasng: 9:47am On Jun 26

I have said the same thing.

If my below recommendations are not done before implementation of state Police, state Police will fail in improving security in Nigerian states as we all expect. There will be clash of power and interest between the state and federal Police, between state Police and Army just as we see between Army and Federal Police that are not even doing the same job.

1.) Make it compulsory that every Federal Commissioner of Police and all heads of tactical teams and formations under Federal Police command in any Nigerian state must be indigenes of that state where they are posted or working.

2.) Every Commanding Officer of every military cantonment or barrack in any state in Nigeria must be an indigene of that state.

3.) Every Director of DSS in every state in Nigeria must be indigene of that state.

4.) Every Civil Defense Corps Boss in any Nigeria state must be an indigene of that state.

I am recommending this to be done first before implementing state Police to avoid sabotage and clash of interest between the State Police and other federal security agencies like Federal Police, Army, and even Civil Defense Corps.

I am making this recommendation based on years of intelligence report on how Fulani herdsmen terrorists and militants operate in every Nigerian state, with locals accusing the Nigerian army of protecting Fulani herdsmen militants after they attack a community.

With my recommendation, both State Police, Federal Police, Civil Defense and Army will work in tandem to secure their state of jurisdiction knowing it is also their indigenous state, so they won't be protecting any group of violent criminals just because they are people from his ethnic divide or religion.

HOW TO SOLVE FUNDING ISSUE AND ABUSE OF STATE POLICE BY STATE GOVERNORS

When it comes to funding and abuse by state Governors, my suggestion is that the National Assembly should make it compulsory now that every state must establish State Police Service Commission and make it compulsory that federal government map out a certain percentage of every state's monthly allocation to be paid directly to the state Police Service Commission which must maintain a separate account like LGAs and the committee to govern every state Police service commission must be drawn from the LGAs in that state, meaning every LGA must have a representative and among them, they will recommend three persons to the State Governor to appoint as the Chairman of state Police service Commission and then state house of assembly will do the final screening and approval. It will then be the job of the state service commission to appoint the state commissioner of police from the highest ranking police Officers.

This way, State Governors will not have a total control of their state Police both in funding and in operation.

Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by Parachoko: 9:49am On Jun 26

budaatum:
Indeed, not all states. We however must recognise that some states are not even paying state workers salaries, and consider what the state police will do if they are not paid.

Can you list out the states that are presently not paying workers salaries?

2 Likes

Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by ARISHEM: 9:50am On Jun 26

He is right. Infact they will help rig elections for the incubent. But what choice do we have when terrorists and bandits are doing any how in all the states and knocking at the doors of some southern states

Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by ZUBY77(m): 9:50am On Jun 26

Has federal government been funding them properly? Police generate their survival funds from motorists and young men walking on the road

Re: State Police Will Face Funding Crisis, Abuse By Governors — Balarabe Sule by OredoPikin: 9:51am On Jun 26

Ofunaofu:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/06/state-police-will-face-funding-crisis-abuse-by-governors-ex-police-boss/

If I am Mr president
I will direct the IGP to redeploy all police officers to their state of origin.
That's the best way to start.
Don't hand over police to start governors.
Mbah has no business been the commissioner of police in Oyo.
Oyetola has no business been the commissioner of police in Enugu
Osazuwa has no business been the commissioner of police in delta

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