Homeland security: Strengthen NPF, not bureaucracy

By: Ade A. Ajakaye

THE recent creation of the Homeland Security Office by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has generated intense debate among Nigerians. While the government may argue that the new office is intended to improve national security coordination and tackle emerging threats, many citizens believe that the decision is unnecessary, costly, and duplicative. Nigeria already has numerous security agencies charged with maintaining peace and order, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Armed Forces, and other paramilitary institutions. Instead of creating another layer of bureaucracy, the government should focus on strengthening existing institutions, particularly the police, which remain the primary agency responsible for internal security.  The creation of additional government offices has become a recurring trend in Nigeria. Each administration introduces new agencies, departments, and committees with the promise of improving governance and solving national problems. However, history has shown that multiplying institutions does not automatically translate into efficiency or better service delivery. In many cases, these agencies overlap in responsibilities, compete for resources, and create confusion rather than coordination. The Homeland Security Office risks becoming another example of this pattern.

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Nigeria’s security challenges are undeniable. The country continues to face terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime, oil theft, communal clashes, and separatist agitations. Citizens understandably demand stronger measures from the government. Yet, the real issue is not the absence of security institutions; it is the weakness of the institutions that already exist. The Nigeria Police Force, which should serve as the backbone of internal security, has for decades suffered from under funding, inadequate training, poor welfare, corruption, and lack of modern equipment. These structural problems have reduced the effectiveness of policing and weakened public trust in law enforcement.  Rather than channeling scarce national resources into establishing a new Homeland Security Office, the government should prioritize comprehensive police reform. The police remain the closest security institution to the people. They are present in local communities, urban centres, and rural areas. A well-trained,  properly equipped, and motivated police force can address many of the security problems confronting Nigeria today. Unfortunately, successive governments have neglected this vital institution while creating new agencies that often perform similar functions.

One major argument against the Homeland Security Office is the Issue of duplication of duties. Nigeria already has multiple agencies involved m intelligence gathering, crime prevention, and internal security management. The DSS handles intelligence and counterintelligence operations. The police investigate crimes and maintain law and order. The NSCDC protects critical national assets and infrastructure. The military intervenes in serious security emergencies. With all these agencies in place, many Nigerians are asking what exactly the Homeland Security Office will do differently. Without clear and distinct responsibilities, the office may simply become another bureaucratic structure competing for authority and funding.

Bureaucratic expansion also comes with heavy financial implications. Establishing a new office requires buildings, personnel, operational budgets, vehicles, allowances, administrative staff, and other logistics. At a time when Nigeria is grappling with economic hardship, rising inflation, unemployment, and growing debt, the government should be cautious about creating additional financial burdens. Many citizens are struggling to survive, and public institutions such as schools and hospitals are underfunded. Security agencies themselves often complain about inadequate resources. Therefore, allocating billions of naira to a new office may not reflect prudent economic management. Another important concern is coordination. Nigeria’s security architecture already suffers from poor inter-agency cooperation. There are frequent reports of rivalry among security agencies, lack of information sharing,’ and operational conflicts.  Creating another office could worsen these problems. Effective security management depends not only on the number of institutions but also on their ability to work together efficiently. Instead of multiplying agencies, the government should focus on building stronger coordination mechanisms among existing security bodies.

The police in particular deserve urgent attention because they are the first line of defence for ordinary citizens. In many communities across Nigeria, police stations lack basic operational tools such as vehicles, communication equipment, electricity, and even office furniture. Officers often buy uniforms and stationery with their personal money. Poor welfare conditions have also contributed to low morale and corruption within the force. Some officers work under extremely difficult conditions with little support from the government. These realities undermine professionalism and reduce public confidence in policing.  Strengthening the police would produce more meaningful and lasting results than creating a Homeland Security Office. The government should invest heavily in recruitment, training, intelligence gathering, technology, and community policing. Modern policing requires advanced surveillance systems, digital crime tracking, forensic laboratories, and rapid response mechanisms. Criminals are becoming more sophisticated, and the police must be equipped to respond effectively.

Investment in modern technology would greatly improve crime detection and prevention across the country. Training is equally important. Police officers need continuous professional development to handle emerging security threats and human rights issues. Proper training in’ intelligence gathering, cybercrime investigation, conflict resolution, and community engagement would enhance their effectiveness. Many complaints against the police stem from poor training, abuse of power, and lack of professionalism. Reforming the training system would help build a more disciplined and accountable police force. Community policing is another area that deserves greater emphasis. Security cannot succeed without public trust and cooperation. Citizens are more likely to share information with security agencies when they feel respected and protected.  Unfortunately, years of misconduct and corruption have damaged the relationship between the police and the public. Strengthening community policing initiatives would help bridge this gap. Officers should be encouraged to work closely with local communities, traditional rulers, youth groups, and civil society organizations to identify and address security challenges.

Furthermore, improving police welfare is essential for effective security delivery. Poor salaries, inadequate housing, delayed promotions, and lack of healthcare have negatively affected officers’ performance. A motivated police force is more likely to resist corruption and perform its duties diligently. Government must therefore prioritize better remuneration, insurance coverage, and decent working conditions for police personnel.  There is also the issue of accountability and transparency. Security institutions must operate within the framework of the law and respect democratic principles. (See the rest on www.tribuneonlineng.com)

• Chief Ajakaiye, a retired AIG of Police, is a writer, poet and social commentator .

  Expanding bureaucracy without proper oversight may create opportunities for abuse of power and waste of public resources. Nigerians have repeatedly demanded greater accountability from security agencies. Instead of creating new offices, the government should strengthen oversight mechanisms to ensure efficiency and respect for human rights within existing institutions. The Homeland Security Office may have been created with good intentions, but good intentions alone are not enough. Public policy should be guided by practicality, efficiency, and national priorities. Nigeria’s security challenges require bold reforms, strategic investment, and institutional strengthening, not merely the creation of additional administrative structures. The government must avoid the temptation of believing that every problem requires a new agency or office. In many cases, the solution lies in improving what already exists.

Countries with effective security systems do not necessarily have the highest number of security agencies. Rather, they have institutions that are well-funded, professional, coordinated, and accountable. Nigeria should learn from this reality. The police force, despite its challenges, remains the most critical institution for maintaining internal security. Strengthening the police would have a direct and immediate impact on citizens’ safety and national stability.

Moreover, expanding bureaucracy can sometimes weaken governance rather than strengthen it. Too many overlapping institutions often lead to’ inefficiency, confusion, and waste. Government should focus on simplifying structures and improving performance instead of creating additional layers of administration. Citizens want results, not more offices and titles. It is also important to consider public perception. Many Nigerians are increasingly frustrated with the proliferation of government agencies while basic public services remain inadequate. The creation of the Homeland Security Office may be viewed by some as political patronage or an attempt to create positions for allies rather than a genuine effort to solve security problems. Whether or not this perception is accurate, government must be sensitive to public concerns and ensure that policy decisions inspire confidence rather than suspicion.

Ultimately, national security is too important to be treated as a political experiment. The government must adopt policies that are sustainable, effective, and economically responsible. Strengthening the police force offers a more practical and impactful solution than creating another bureaucracy. With proper funding, modern equipment, quality training, improved welfare, and stronger accountability, the police can perform their constitutional role more effectively and restore public confidence.

In conclusion, while the creation of the Homeland Security Office may have been presented as a step toward improving national security, many Nigerians see it as unnecessary and superfluous. The country already has numerous security agencies whose capacities can be improved to address existing threats. Instead of expanding bureaucracy, government should concentrate on reforming and strengthening the Nigeria Police Force and other existing institutions. True security reform is not about creating more offices; it is about building stronger, more efficient, and more accountable institutions that can effectively protect the lives and property of citizens. Nigeria does not need more bureaucracy. Nigeria needs better policing.