By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Jos – Former Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, has advised Nigerian stakeholders to reconsider the clamour for state police and instead focus on strengthening community policing to address the nation’s security challenges.

This is as the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang insists on the creation of State Police, saying Nigeria’s centralized police force is overstretched and too far removed from the realities on the ground.

Arase made this call on Thursday, while delivering the keynote address at a One-Day Multi-Stakeholder Roundtable Dialogue held in Jos, Plateau State.

The event, themed “Community Policing as a Panacea for Insecurity in Nigeria: The Case of Plateau State,” was convened by the Gideon and Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation and drew participants from various sectors and faith backgrounds.

Arase, currently the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, argued that community policing remains the most locally effective and adaptable strategy for crime prevention.

He emphasized that it is tailor-made to meet the diverse security needs of Nigeria’s regions, noting that its grassroots structure fosters trust, cooperation, and early conflict detection.

“Community policing is not just a strategy; it’s a philosophy that encourages citizen involvement in their own security. While the calls for state police are understandable, we must first maximize the structures we already have,” Arase said.

However, Governor Mutfwang, who declared the roundtable open, took a different stance, reaffirming his strong support for state policing.

According to him, “In my two years as Governor, I’ve come to the firm conclusion that the Nigerian Police Force is too large and too centralized to function optimally from Abuja. The time has come to seriously consider state policing as a viable solution.”

He used the opportunity to call on Nigerian elites to take greater responsibility in shaping narratives that promote peace, unity, and coexistence, especially in volatile regions like Plateau State.

“Too often, it is the elites who ignite division by spreading misinformation and fanning the flames of hatred. Communities that have lived together peacefully for decades can suddenly become enemies when the minds of the people are poisoned,” Mutfwang declared.

He stressed that his administration is determined to break down the religious and ethnic barriers that have long stifled unity and development on the Plateau. Despite being recently labeled by some in influential circles, Mutfwang affirmed that he remains committed to the pursuit of peace and inclusive governance.

The President of the Gideon and Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, Rev. Gideon Para-Mallam, commended the Governor’s presence and described him as a man of integrity who has demonstrated commitment to peacebuilding in Plateau State.

Rev. Para-Mallam noted that the State has suffered deeply from violent conflict, and stressed the need for sincere, inclusive dialogue to restore normalcy. “This roundtable is a platform for healing, collaboration, and progress,” he said.

The dialogue concluded with stakeholders pledging to continue working together to promote justice, peace, and mutual understanding in Plateau and beyond.