A fresh debate has erupted on Nigerian social media after Mohammed Jammal (@whitenigerian) recommended that the Federal Government consider establishing Regional Police Units, covering the North West, North East, North Central, South West, South East, and South South, as a step toward strengthening security.
Jammal wrote: “Rather than going all out for State Police immediately, my recommendation to the Federal Government is to start with Regional Police Units… It could be a practical step toward strengthening security.”
His suggestion quickly drew mixed reactions. Some users questioned the practicality of regional policing and asked who would control such forces.
David Kings (@AkinlKing) wondered, “Who controls regional police? What’s the difference between that one and regular police?”
Olaifa Olaleye Leo (@Rotleo3819) argued that regional policing would create bottlenecks, saying, “The problem of who controls who will start coming up from states in the region. Let each state have their own structure.” St’ Martins (@Trendblizz) added that governors would still hide under the excuse of not controlling the police, insisting that each ethnic group should secure its own land.
Others defended the push for state police, citing President Tinubu’s experience as a former governor.
Otunba Nla (@Balloblog1) wrote, “Tinubu knows what he’s doing… Let indigenes of each state police their states, and let’s see how police will misbehave.”
A.Y.O (@YusufAsunmogejo) recalled Nigeria’s history with regional forces during the Shagari era, warning that such structures could be weaponised.
He argued that state police and community policing are the way forward, noting that while governors might abuse state police during elections, the daily insecurity Nigerians face is a far greater concern.
Gideon (@Iamgideone) emphasised that Nigeria’s diversity requires policing that reflects local realities, cultures, and languages, adding that state police would enhance intelligence gathering and trust at the grassroots level.
The feasibility of regional policing was also questioned. Agba-Oye (@Oludari_) asked, “Who will control the police, the FG or the state government? It’s not practically possible since there is no elected head of regions.”
Dean of Ilé-Ifè (@deanofife) dismissed the idea outright, saying, “Nigeria is a FEDERAL REPUBLIC… Does the USA have regional police? We want state police, security is local, not regional!” Temitope Akeremale (@Ak58973Temitope) was blunter: “Bullshit. State police all the way. No to the indiscriminate killing of Nigerians… State police and true federalism are a must.”
Some commenters accused Jammal of ulterior motives. Chris (@krisabah) wrote, “This guy, I have always suspected your motives. If I were the head of any security agency, I would investigate you.”
Others, like Olanrewaju Idowu (@send2lanre), insisted that each community should police its own people: “Make Benue man police his own people, make Borno man police his own Sambisa. Leave your take to yourself abeg.”
