The Nigerian Presidency has shifted the blame for the surge in deadly attacks across the country, particularly in Plateau, Benue, and Enugu States, to the nation’s governors.
The federal government accused the governors of underfunding security operations, despite receiving hefty security votes.
Daniel Bwala, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, made these statements during an interview on TVC’s Beyond the Headlines with Nifemi Oguntoye.
Bwala criticized the governors for allegedly allocating as little as ₦20 million monthly to each of the State Security Service (SSS), police, and military in their states.
He contrasted this with the massive security votes allocated to governors, which reportedly range from ₦1 billion to ₦3 billion.
“It’s disheartening to see governors providing only ₦20 million to each security agency while controlling billions in security allocations. What direction are we headed?” Bwala questioned.
Poor local leadership, not lack of power
Commenting on the persistent call for the creation of state police, Bwala argued that it reflects a failure in local governance rather than an actual lack of power.
He asserted that state governments already possess the legal framework and resources to address security issues but are not deploying them effectively.
Bwala explained that states can legally establish their own paramilitary outfits and receive federal backing, emphasizing that the issue is not capacity but commitment.
He suggested that diverting a portion of the security vote to equip federal forces with tools like drones and surveillance systems could drastically improve the situation.
“It’s not rocket science,” Bwala said. “Every state has access to the SSS, police, military, and paramilitary units. With sufficient funding, they could turn the tide against criminals who are now using advanced technology themselves.”
State Police: Not a magic fix
While recognizing the need for a better security structure, Bwala expressed scepticism about the feasibility of state police.
He questioned how state governments, many of which already struggle to pay salaries, would finance an entirely new police infrastructure.
He cautioned that pushing for state police without addressing existing financial constraints might create more problems than solutions.
“You want governors who can’t meet wage obligations to now fund an additional police force? Is that realistic with current budgets?” he asked.
Although Bwala did not oppose the concept of state police outright, he stressed that it should not be viewed as the ultimate remedy for Nigeria’s security woes. “We don’t have to wait for state police to start protecting lives,” he concluded.