Security experts back state police, demand intelligence-driven fight against crime

Security experts have thrown their weight behind the proposed creation of state police, while calling for intelligence-driven policing, technological innovation and a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture to tackle the country’s worsening insecurity.

Speaking at the 2nd International Hybrid Conference 2026, organised by the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Calabar, on the theme, “Insecurity and National Development: Is the Nigerian State at a Crossroads?”, the Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, Rashid Afegbua, described the Senate’s passage of the State Police Bill as a historic milestone in Nigeria’s security and governance architecture.

According to Afegbua, the bill represents a bold step towards deepening true federalism and addressing the nation’s growing security challenges. 

He advocated proactive, intelligence-led and technology-driven policing, including the establishment of dedicated state cybercrime and digital evidence units to strengthen investigations and support security operations.

The police commissioner also urged regular training of officers in digital evidence collection, preservation and analysis, while calling for stronger collaboration among security agencies to improve intelligence sharing and coordinated responses to crime. 

He stressed that achieving sustainable security requires the collective efforts of government, institutions and citizens, not law enforcement agencies alone.

Keynote speaker at the event, Air Vice Marshal Adebayo Gabriel Kehinde, identified poor governance, poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and the struggle for natural resources as major drivers of insecurity in Nigeria. 

He advocated greater investment in intelligence gathering, surveillance systems, data analytics and other digital technologies to improve early warning and enhance operational effectiveness. 

Lead discussant and former Special Adviser on Security to the Cross River State Governor, Mr Rekpene Bassey, said existing counter-terrorism strategies have not been effective enough.

He urged authorities to adopt more proactive, intelligence-driven approaches tailored to evolving security threats.

Security experts back state police, demand intelligence-driven fight against crime