FEDERAL POLICING, STATE POLICING AND NATIONAL SECURITY

RETHINKING THE LEGAL APPROACH

Abstract

There are now ongoing campaigns and discussions whether or not the present central structure of Nigeria Police Force is desirable; the answers and suggested solutions to this sensitive question have further divided Nigerians into uncomfortable compartments. The psychology of having a state police force instead of the current central/federal police force has its deep seated advantages as well as some disadvantages. This paper sets out to critically and constructively discuss the current challenges facing policing in Nigeria putting in view the numerous security situations, and posits that since both states control now being canvassed, and the current structure of Federal Police Force have strong merits and short comings, a superlatively important thing is massive psychological input into the Police, and policing in Nigeria, which is only possible if Heads of Government eschew nepotism and corruption.