The Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) has called on the Federal Government to focus on tackling Nigeria’s worsening insecurity instead of allowing the national conversation on state policing to overshadow its constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property.
In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Barr. Samuel M. Memeh, the group said that while the proposal to establish state police has generated widespread debate, it should not distract the Federal Government from implementing immediate and practical measures to curb kidnapping, violent crime, and other security challenges confronting the country.
The DLA recalled that on June 10, 2026, it issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding a comprehensive security strategy aimed at reducing the rising wave of kidnappings and restoring public confidence in the nation’s security architecture. According to the group, no such strategy has been presented.
The alliance argued that presenting state police as the principal solution to Nigeria’s security crisis shifts attention away from the urgent need to strengthen existing security institutions. It noted that the Nigeria Police Force remains understaffed, underfunded, and poorly equipped, with many police formations across the country in a state of disrepair.
The organisation urged the Federal Government to recruit more personnel into the police and other security agencies, improve the welfare and remuneration of security officers, modernise security operations through technology and intelligence, reconstruct damaged police facilities, and strengthen operational capacity nationwide.
The DLA also called on state governments to complement security efforts through economic development policies capable of reducing unemployment and criminality. It stressed that sustainable peace requires a combination of effective security operations, sound economic policies, youth empowerment, social justice, quality education, healthcare, entrepreneurship support, vocational training, and inclusive development.
The statement further emphasised the need to protect farming communities and agricultural investments, describing the safety of farmers as inseparable from Nigeria’s food security. It urged governments at all levels to adopt lawful and effective measures to reduce violent conflicts, regulate livestock movement in accordance with the law, and safeguard legitimate farming activities.
Expressing concern over the country’s economic situation, the DLA said millions of Nigerians continue to grapple with inflation, unemployment, poverty, food insecurity, and declining purchasing power, while businesses face persistent insecurity and economic uncertainty.
The alliance also criticised what it described as the absence of a clearly articulated national strategy for building a science-driven and technology-based economy capable of creating sustainable employment opportunities for young Nigerians. It urged increased investment in research, innovation, manufacturing, renewable energy, industrialisation, digital technology, and technical education.
Among its recommendations, the DLA called for the immediate recruitment of additional security personnel, improved welfare packages for officers, reconstruction and equipping of police formations, deployment of modern intelligence and forensic technologies, implementation of a comprehensive anti-kidnapping strategy, protection of farming communities, accelerated rural development, youth employment programmes, and greater investment in science, technology, innovation, and industrial development.
The organisation maintained that constitutional amendments alone cannot resolve Nigeria’s security challenges, insisting that effective governance, institutional capacity, accountability, and political will remain essential to restoring public confidence and ensuring national security.
The statement concluded by reaffirming the Democratic Leadership Alliance’s commitment to advancing practical policy alternatives aimed at strengthening democracy, promoting national security, protecting livelihoods, stimulating economic growth, and building a peaceful, prosperous, and united Nigeria.
Ubong Usoro for Nigeria Magazine
