Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has questioned the financial capacity of many state governments to successfully operate state police.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Falana expressed concern that several governors who are unable to meet basic financial obligations, including the regular payment of workers’ salaries, may struggle to fund a state-controlled police system if it is eventually established.
Falana argued that policing is an expensive responsibility that goes beyond recruiting officers. He noted that maintaining a police force requires continuous funding for salaries, training, equipment, vehicles, intelligence gathering, operational logistics and officers’ welfare. He warned that without a reliable source of funding, state police could become ineffective and place additional financial pressure on already struggling state governments.
He said, “How can governors who cannot pay salaries suddenly have money to fund police in their states?” Falana maintained that while discussions on state police are important, the financial realities facing many states must be addressed first to ensure any new policing structure is sustainable, accountable and capable of improving security across the country