Egbetokun Demands Multi-Level Policing, Security Research Centres

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Dr. Kayode Egbetokun

A former Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, has called for a constitutionally backed multi-level policing system and the establishment of dedicated research centres within Nigeria’s security institutions to tackle emerging and complex security threats.

Egbetokun made the call while delivering the keynote address at the 20th International Conference and General Assembly of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP), held at Lead City University, Ibadan.

Speaking on the theme, “Security Governance and Global Dynamics,” the former police chief proposed a policing structure comprising federal, state and community levels, with clearly defined roles, rules of engagement, funding arrangements and accountability mechanisms.

He cautioned, however, that the devolution of policing powers to states and communities must be carefully structured to prevent overlapping responsibilities and operational confusion.

According to him, lasting security cannot be achieved merely by providing more equipment, but requires fundamental reforms to the structures and systems through which security is governed.

Egbetokun also called for the establishment of research centres in police colleges, military institutions and other security agencies, with emphasis on after-action reviews, data analytics and evidence-based policing.

He said security agencies possessed vast operational experience but lacked adequate documentation and institutional mechanisms for converting such experience into knowledge that could improve future operations.

On peace and security, the former IGP described peace as one of the pillars of security, warning that where peace could not be sustained, security itself would eventually become difficult to maintain.

He argued that security was not the sole responsibility of government, stressing that the private sector, academia, communities and citizens also had important roles to play.

“Security is not what is provided alone by government; it must be produced by society,” he said, adding that public trust should be treated as critical security infrastructure.

Egbetokun further warned that Nigeria’s security challenges could no longer be viewed solely from a domestic perspective, as terrorism, banditry, cybercrime, arms and drug trafficking and illicit financial flows operate through transnational networks.

He called for a shift from traditional national security approaches to networked security, supported by stronger regional and international cooperation.

The former police boss also urged security institutions and policymakers to keep pace with emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, while ensuring that their use is matched with appropriate accountability.

He advocated a national framework for information integrity to combat disinformation, hate speech and extremist propaganda without undermining freedom of expression.

On the social dimension of security, Egbetokun said national security strategies must place human dignity and citizens’ everyday needs at the centre, including food security, employment, healthcare and the safety of schools.

He stressed that poverty and unemployment must be addressed to reduce the conditions that enable extremist groups to recruit, warning that “there is no military solution to a governance problem.”

The former IGP outlined a security governance model based on prevention and resilience, institutional continuity, evidence-led decision-making, inter-agency coordination, responsible technology use and public legitimacy.

He commended the SPSP for creating a platform that bridges scholarship and practical security experience, urging participants to ensure that evidence informs policy and experience informs research.

The conference, which began on October 5 and runs until October 9, has brought together scholars, security chiefs, policymakers, diplomats and peacebuilding practitioners.

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