By Palma Ileye
Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria, KACRAN, has urged Northern State Governors to reconsider the proposed establishment of State Police in Northern Nigeria saying that this has significant implications that could impact financial stability, administrative efficiency and social harmony in the region.
Explaining the financial burden in a press release issued by the KACRAN’s National President, Khalil Moh’d Bello stated that establishing a State Police force entails a substantial financial commitment citing an example, “A state with 15 Local Governments could require approximately 10 billion Naira for initial setup costs, including recruitment, training, equipment, and infrastructure development.
“In larger States like Kano, these expenses could rise to about 30 billion Naira. Additionally, maintaining such a force would demand around 3 billion Naira monthly for salaries and operational costs.
“These expenditures could divert critical resources from essential public services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure, which are vital for the development and well-being of the region.”
On job security and crime rates, Bello said that there was a significant concern regarding the job security of newly recruited Officers noting that if budget constraints or administrative changes lead to job losses, these trained individuals might resort to criminal activities, potentially increasing crime rates within communities therefore ensuring stable employment for these officers was crucial to maintaining peace and security.
He said, on the impact on national Police, the creation of State Police could weaken the existing Nigeria Police Force, NPF, by drawing away experienced Officers noting that this shift could compromise the effectiveness of national policing efforts, leading to reduced coordination and communication between state and federal law enforcement agencies.
Speaking on risks of Political abuse, he said that the potential for political misuse of State Police was a major concern noting that there was a risk that these forces could be used to serve the interests of local political leaders rather than the broader public, leading to the victimization of opposition parties and creating an environment of lawlessness and anarchy.
“Such a scenario could undermine the rule of law and erode public trust in law enforcement,” he said.
KACRAN in the statement listed the following questions for proponents of State Police in Northern Nigeria, where the issue or ₦70,000 minimum wage was still being debated: “Where will the funding for State Police come from? Will it be a permanent special grant from the Federal Government? If so, what happens if that funding is discontinued?
“In the event of a budget deficit, what will happen to conventional civil servants and retirees?
“Looking ahead 37 years, what will be the impact on the North if State Police are established and then retire or resign? Some states in the Northeast already have over 15,000 retirees, exceeding their active workforce?
“Why do State Governments prefer relying on force to address security issues instead of investing in social services and creating an enabling environment for businesses to empower our youth?”
Further more the association expained, “Establishing a State Police in a State with 15 Local Governments requires significant logistics. Each State would need to recruit around 2,000 Officers, averaging 100 Officers per Local Government Area, LGA, or 10 per ward. The remaining 500 Officers would serve various Command roles, including the State Commissioner of Police and Area Commanders.
“Likely Unrealistic Cost Implications of Establishing State Police: Training and Equipment: Each new officer will cost over ₦1 million for training, uniforms, and equipment, totaling ₦2 billion for 2,000 Officers.
“Infrastructure: Building the State Police Command, Criminal Investigation Department, CID, three Area Commands, and related offices will require about ₦3 billion.
“Vehicles: Armored vehicles, Hilux trucks, buses, and other utility vehicles are estimated to cost around ₦2 billion.
“Ongoing Operations: Ammunition, equipment, and fuel stations will also amount to about ₦2 billion.
“In total, establishing State Police in a State with 15 LGAs could cost around ₦10 billion before operations begin. Additionally, the monthly salary and operational costs for 2,000 Officers would be about ₦5 to ₦6 billion, potentially increasing by ₦1 billion annually.
“For a larger state like Kano, with 44 Local Governments, approximately 7,000 Officers would need to be recruited. This would lead to an establishment cost of around ₦30 billion and monthly expenses of about ₦3 billion for salaries and operations.”
KACRAN also advocated for redirecting resources towards initiatives that promote sustainable development and long-term prosperity for Northern States, these initiatives include: “Agricultural Investment: Enhancing agriculture, livestock, and fish farming to boost food security and create employment opportunities. This would not only strengthen the economy but also improve the livelihoods of local communities.
“Industrial Development: Establishing medium and small-scale industries to drive economic growth and diversify income sources for the region. Industrialization can lead to job creation and increased economic activity.
“Infrastructure Improvements: Improving infrastructure to create an enabling environment for businesses and attract investment. This includes building roads, providing reliable electricity, and ensuring access to clean water.
“Youth Employment: Developing programs to generate employment opportunities for young graduates, reducing unemployment and its associated social challenges. Empowering youth through job creation is essential for fostering a stable and prosperous society.”