Union Raises Alarm Over Worsening Insecurity, Demands Creation of State Police

By Chinedu Echianu

The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has urged the Federal Government and state governors to urgently overhaul the country’s security architecture through the creation of state Police in order to stem the rising wave of violence, kidnappings, and displacement across the country.

Speaking at the Union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja Thursday, ASCSN President, Comrade Shehu Mohammed, lamented that citizens now live in daily fear as criminal activities continue to escalate nationwide.

“Every day, we read in mainstream and social media and watch on television the gory tales of citizens being kidnapped, killed, or displaced from their homes by all manners of criminals,” Mohammed said. “These almost daily incidents have created a specter of fear among citizens in all parts of the country. Members of the association and their families have been largely affected by these criminal activities.”

He appealed to the Federal Government to “rejig the security architecture” and reposition it to meet the expectations of Nigerians, while also challenging state governors to rise to the task of securing their domains as recently urged by the President.

Offering a pragmatic proposal to the long-standing debate on state policing, Mohammed suggested the creation of State Police Service Commissions that would dilute the influence of governors. Such commissions, he said, should include representatives of political parties, labour unions, religious groups, traditional rulers, students, Non Governmental Organisations, and other prominent citizens.

“This model will ensure that governors do not have absolute control over state police commands and check any tendency to use them as tools for vendetta,” he added.

In a goodwill message, the Minister of Labour and Employment praised the ASCSN for its consistent role in promoting workers’ welfare and strengthening industrial harmony. The Minister said the Union had remained a “dependable partner” in maintaining stability within the labour sector.

He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to sustaining social dialogue, ensuring decent work, and partnering with unions to navigate emerging economic and technological challenges.
“As the world of work continues to evolve, we must work together to equip our workforce with the skills and protections needed for competitiveness in a rapidly changing global economy,” the Minister said.

He encouraged delegates to use the NEC meeting to deepen their commitment to ethical unionism and generate actionable proposals to support national development.