A call has been made to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over rising insecurity in Nigeria.
The demand centers on urgent reforms and a special funding structure for the Nigeria Police Force.
At the heart of the appeal is a proposed Emergency Intervention Fund.
In an open letter addressed to the President, serious concerns were raised about the current state of policing. The letter stressed the urgent need for better Nigeria Police funding.
Moreover, the writer commended the appointment of Inspector General Tunji Disu. The letter described him as one of the finest officers in the country.
However, it warned that success may remain difficult without strong financial backing. It argued that past police leaders faced similar setbacks due to poor funding.
“Achieving success is an uphill task without adequate funding,” the letter stated.
Furthermore, the absence of an Emergency Intervention Fund since 1983 was highlighted. This gap has reportedly slowed progress in police reforms.
The letter recalled that during the Shehu Shagari era, the police received strong support. Equipment, training, and intelligence systems were improved significantly.
In addition, specialized units were introduced to handle internal security threats. These efforts helped strengthen policing at the time.
However, the current situation appears different. The police are said to lack basic tools needed for effective operations.
For instance, the shortage of helicopters was described as alarming. Nigeria reportedly has fewer than three functional police helicopters.
Meanwhile, countries with smaller populations operate dozens of such aircraft.
Operational vehicles are also said to be inadequate across many states. Some senior officers reportedly lack official vehicles for duty.
Moreover, citizens are often forced to fund investigations themselves. This practice has been criticized as unfair and unsustainable.
The letter noted that agencies like the EFCC receive proper funding. Therefore, they tend to perform better in investigations.
In addition, poor welfare conditions among police officers were highlighted. Many officers reportedly live in difficult conditions with low pay.
Retirement benefits were also described as inadequate for long-serving personnel. This has affected morale within the force.
Meanwhile, public trust in the police remains low. Issues such as corruption and inefficiency have damaged their image.
Furthermore, concerns were raised about unused police personnel. Thousands of mobile officers withdrawn from VIP duties are said to be idle.
It was suggested that these officers could be deployed to secure highways. This would help reduce kidnapping and robbery cases.
In addition, the lack of proper data systems was identified as a major issue. Poor record keeping has slowed investigations and tracking of criminals.
Therefore, the letter called for a modern and connected database. This would improve intelligence and crime prevention efforts.
The writer also proposed building police outposts along highways. These would serve as support points for officers on duty.
Meanwhile, stakeholders continue to debate the best path forward. Many believe urgent action is needed to prevent further decline.
