Military visibility risky to democratic system — Ex-police IG

Former Inspector-General of Police, Sunday Ehindero. Source: Sahara Reporters

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A former Inspector-General of Police, Sunday Ehindero, on Saturday cautioned that the “growing visibility of the military in Nigeria” posed risks to the country’s democratic system.

Speaking on behalf of retired IGPs at the launch of two biographies of former Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali-Baba, in Abuja, Ehindero acknowledged the military’s role in national security but stressed that its increasing presence in civilian spaces should concern policymakers.

He said, “The security architecture of this country needs to be rejigged. With apologies to the military here, too much military visibility in a democracy is not good.

“While I praise them for the work they are doing — they are doing marvellously — it is not their fault. They should concentrate more on our borders to prevent these miscreants from coming into the country. Our territorial integrity must be maintained and protected.”

Ehindero also addressed misconceptions raised at the event regarding policing, leadership continuity, and the size of the Nigeria Police Force.

He rejected the notion that the country’s growing police population results from bad governance, noting that Nigeria’s large population and ongoing security challenges justify the expansion.

On state police, Ehindero, who had opposed the idea for decades, revealed a change of position after reviewing new checks and balances in the proposed model.

“We are about 230 million people. When people retire, die, or are dismissed, the police must be replenished. I disagree with the idea that we have more policemen because of bad governance.

“I have been against the establishment of state police for 30 years. But this time, when I saw the details, I embraced it. It is a step in the right direction, considering banditry, terrorism and other crimes,” he said.

The former IG further urged the government to consider retired police officers for ambassadorial appointments, citing instances where senior officers previously served as envoys.

Responding to criticism of the current National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for being a former police officer, Ehindero noted that several retired IGPs had held similar national security roles in the past.

His remarks come as the military is deployed across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in support of the police to tackle banditry, terrorism, communal clashes, and other security threats.

The comments also follow a series of recent coups in West Africa — in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea — which have raised concerns about democratic stability in the region and intensified debates about military influence in governance.

Earlier, former IGP Usman Alkali Baba commended President Bola Tinubu for efforts to restore “police primacy” in internal security.

He praised the President’s directive withdrawing police personnel attached to what he described as “undeserving” individuals.

“I am profoundly grateful to His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, for his consistent action directed at restoring dwindling police primacy in the internal security architecture. This was again made manifest by the recent Presidential Order on the withdrawal of police personnel attached to undeserving personalities.

“As far as my memory serves me, this is the first time that such an order has emanated directly from a sitting President. We tried to do it as IGPs, but we couldn’t make it. Let’s see how this one will work.”

The PUNCH journalist, Solomon, has five years experience covering crime, judiciary and defence beats.

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