Nigeria police crisis fuels state police debate and calls to redeploy Osun commissioner

Former Inspector‑General of Police Mike Okiro said the federal force is “badly disorganised, disenchanted, demoralised, understaffed, ill‑equipped and ill‑trained,” arguing that the push for state police stems from the federal police’s failure to tackle worsening insecurity. He warned that creating state police without strong constitutional safeguards could allow governors to misuse the forces for political ends.

In Osun State, a coalition of civil‑society groups urged Inspector‑General Tunji Disuoto to immediately redeploy Commissioner Ibrahim Gotan, claiming the officer’s handling of political killings and a disputed confessional video has eroded public confidence ahead of the August 15 governorship election. The groups praised the IGP’s recent directive to end political violence and called for an impartial police commissioner to ensure credible elections.