By Leftist Osazee Edigin
The primary purpose of government is the protection of lives and property via the provision of social support services which the Nigeria Police Force forms a critical part of.
However, the recent disposition of the police is becoming more of a revenue-generating agency and payment for services rendered to citizens.
Key among such services provided by the police is the E-CMR and Tint Permit both for vehicles. The Electronic Central Motor Register and the Tint Permit were issued at no cost to citizens before now.
The current police leadership appears to be running the institution as one of the institutions that is mandated to pursue revenue for the federal government from what is supposed to be social support service for citizens. That a Tint Permit issued for a vehicle expires after a year and renewable, is the most ridiculous thing to hear.
Now that it has declared itself as a revenue mobilizer, the federal government should be considering privatizing it as that will eventually generate more revenue to the government. Nigerians have been paying for police services which ranges from bail money, arrest mobilization fee, statement writing fee et al. These payments end in private pockets without accountability.
I think the full commercialisation of police services will bring better service delivery and more revenue directly into government coffers. The police can be given to a private business entity to help maximise the revenue accruing to it and the delivery of comparative services alongside personnel welfare.
I do not have adequate information on any national police that has been privatised, however, Nigeria can be the first model to emulate.
Leftist Osazee Edigin AICMC , is a human rights activist and member of the Edo State Civil Society Organisation
28th May, 2025
