•••Advocates phased rollout starting with state capitals
•••Insists force must be free of ethnic, religious, and elite hijack
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, has cautioned that while the establishment of state police could drastically improve Nigeria’s security architecture, poor implementation could lead to a catastrophic failure.
Speaking at an Arise TV Town Hall meeting in Abuja on Thursday, General Musa described the state police initiative as a potential “silver bullet” for the nation’s security challenges, but warned of severe consequences if the process is rushed or compromised.
“State police is a good thing if well harnessed, planned, and executed; it could be the silver bullet that we need,” Musa stated. “But again, if not well executed, it could turn out to be the Hiroshima that we are afraid of.”
The Defence Minister stressed that for the state police system to succeed, it must remain entirely insulated from political, ethnic, and religious manipulation.
He emphasized that the structure must serve the public interest rather than the whims of influential individuals, insisting that it should not be ethnic-based, religion-based, or for the elite.
To mitigate operational risks, General Musa recommended a phased implementation strategy. Rather than a nationwide rollout all at once, he suggested launching the initiative in state capitals first.
This approach, he argued, would allow authorities to identify and resolve operational challenges before expanding the system to local government areas.
Beyond structural reforms, the Minister challenged Nigerians to take personal responsibility for the country’s progress, noting that systemic change requires a shift in public attitude.
He remarked that most Nigerians want change, but they want somebody else to change and not themselves, urging every citizen to embody the transformation they desire.
While acknowledging that Nigeria continues to grapple with deep-seated ethnic divisions, religious sentiments, and elitist interests, Musa commended the Nigeria Police Force.
He maintained that despite operating under highly challenging conditions, the force has continued to perform commendably to secure the nation.
