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.