By Yemi Olajutemu
A communication expert, university don and Fellow of the Institute of Security of Nigeria, Professor Adebola Aderibigbe, has called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s policing system to tackle the country’s persistent security challenges.
Speaking on Thursday, 12th December 2024, at the Osun State Community and Safety Security Summit held in Ede, Professor Aderibigbe underscored the importance of proactive, community-oriented policing in ensuring safer communities.
The event, themed “Securing Our Community through Proactive and People-Oriented Policing,” was organised by the Osun State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in collaboration with OKSOM 92 Security Consult Limited. It brought together traditional rulers, security experts, and policymakers from across the state to deliberate on Nigeria’s security challenges and strategies to address them.
Delivering the keynote lecture, Professor Aderibigbe highlighted that one of the primary factors exacerbating Nigeria’s security crisis is the critically low police-to-citizen ratio. He pointed out that the current figure of over 370,000 police officers serving more than 230 million citizens falls far short of the United Nations’ recommended ratio of one officer per 450 people. According to him, this dire shortfall leaves the police themselves in need of protection. Despite these limitations, he commended the Nigeria Police for their efforts under such challenging conditions.
Professor Aderibigbe decried the systemic issues afflicting the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), including poor funding, inadequate training, and insufficient welfare provisions for officers. He asserted that these factors, combined with corruption and political interference, have significantly hampered the police force’s ability to combat crime effectively.
He warned that the failure to address these challenges has led to rising insecurity across the nation, citing the increase in armed robbery, kidnappings, and cyber fraud as direct outcomes of gaps in the country’s policing framework. Referencing the 2018 Offa bank robbery, which claimed 32 lives, he emphasised the need for more effective crime prevention strategies, particularly through the use of modern technology.
While acknowledging the contributions of local hunters and vigilante groups, Aderibigbe stressed their potential to collaborate with the police when provided with proper training. He cited successful instances in Okeho, Oyo State, and Ile-Ife, Osun State, where local hunters, working alongside the police and Amotekun, confronted bank robbers. He advocated for a formalised framework to integrate local security groups into the national policing system to improve efficiency.
Professor Aderibigbe called on citizens to actively participate in securing their communities, stating: “Security is a collective responsibility. Citizens must remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, and work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure safety.” Addressing the police, he emphasised the need to protect informants, remarking: “When citizens report crime, crime should not report them.” He urged law enforcement agencies to prioritise the safety of informants, as exposing them discourages the sharing of vital information.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Yemisi Opalola, also speaking at the event, urged residents to prioritise their communities’ safety by collaborating with security agencies and promptly reporting criminal activities.
Similarly, the Commandant of Osun Amotekun, Dr Isaac Omoyele, described the summit as a commendable initiative and encouraged representatives from various communities to intensify public awareness campaigns on vigilance and security consciousness.
In his remarks, Dr Olumuyiwa Fakeye of OKSOM 92 Security Consult Limited explained that the summit aimed to bridge the gap between law enforcement and communities to reduce crime across the country.
Professor Aderibigbe further urged Nigeria to embrace modern technology to strengthen its policing efforts, recommending the deployment of surveillance systems, predictive analytics, and advanced communication tools to enhance police efficiency. He also called for the formalisation of local vigilante groups through structured training and their integration into the national security framework. Furthermore, he stressed the role of traditional rulers and religious leaders in building trust and fostering collaboration between communities and security agencies.
Finally, Professor Aderibigbe called for comprehensive reforms, urging the government to address corruption within the police force and improve officer welfare to boost morale and operational effectiveness. He also emphasised the urgent need to recruit more police officers to ensure adequate security coverage, particularly in high-risk areas.
Participants expressed optimism that the summit would result in actionable steps to address Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges.
