OPERATIONALISING MULTI-LEVEL POLICING TO ADDRESS INSECURITY IN ANAMBRA STATE, SOUTH EAST NIGERIA

Abstract

The 1999 Constitution of Nigeria provides for the existence of only one police – the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). However, several deficits have greatly inhibited the capacity of this highly centralised institution to maintain internal security. Escalating attacks and killings by violent non-state actors in Nigeria have overwhelmed the capacity of the NPF. Amidst growing insecurity, some governors, civil society organisations and opinion leaders have repeatedly called for the establishment of State Police to nip insecurity in the bud. This article critically interrogates the dynamics of policing and security governance in Nigeria with a particular focus on Anambra State and the broader South East region. Anchored on the Multi-Level Governance (MLG) Theory, the study adopted a qualitative method of data collection, relying on secondary sources such as scholarly publications, policy documents, and official reports to analyse the
subject. It addresses a critical gap in Nigeria's policing literature by examining the feasibility of multi-level policing in Anambra State, highlighting its potential to overcome the limitations of Nigeria's centralised police structure in tackling evolving security threats. The article explores the critical issues surrounding the operationalisation of a multi-level policing framework, analysing its advantages for enhancing localised responses to security threats. It further proposes strategic pathways for implementing multi-level policing in Anambra, including political will, legislative reforms, community engagement, and capacity building. The article concludes that
while challenges exist, a carefully designed and effectively operationalised multi-level policing system could strengthen security governance in Anambra and serve as a model for Nigeria's broader policing reforms.