From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
Former House of Representatives member Dachung Bagos has called for the establishment of state police to address the persistent killings across Nigeria. He also advocated for a witness protection law to safeguard informants reporting bandits and criminals to security agencies, particularly those in local communities.
Speaking at an interactive session with journalists at the NUJ Press Centre in Jos on Thursday, May 1, 2025, Bagos referenced a recent statement by the Emir of Wase, Alhaji Mohammadu Sambo Haruna, who noted that fifth columnists and criminals within communities often spy for bandits, betraying security agents’ movements.
Bagos argued that a locally recruited divisional police officer (DPO) would better protect their community, knowing residents and spotting outsiders. “I have always been an advocate of state police because of the immense benefits. For instance, a DPO coming from a particular locality will perform better than one coming from outside,” he said.
Bagos, whose tenure representing Jos East/Bassa federal constituency was cut short by the Court of Appeal, stressed the need for witness protection laws, as fear of retaliation deters informants.
“On the issue of people not coming forward to report criminal elements to the police, sometimes the fear of being the victim is what most of the community members are afraid of,” he said. He added that current laws allow citizens to make arrests and hand suspects to police, but distrust persists when criminals are released.
“Once we have state police, you know that once you make arrest, you are handing over to the community police; immediately they will have the power to take the person to court,” he explained, noting this could curb jungle justice.
He attributed Plateau’s insecurity to ungoverned spaces where criminals dominate, citing over 64 displaced communities. Bagos urged security agencies to intensify efforts against insurgency using technology, such as forensic analysis and surveillance cameras, common in developed nations.
“In developed nations, just one tire of a bike that will pass from point A to point B, just the mark of the tire, they will be able to trace the serial number with forensic analysis,” he said, questioning Nigeria’s reliance on vague “kinetic and non-kinetic measures” when technology is the proven solution.