State police: Benue monarchs demand formal role in recruitment, intelligence gathering

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

Traditional rulers in Benue State have demanded a formal role in the proposed state police structure, particularly in recruiting personnel, gathering intelligence and providing early warning of security threats.

The Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, and the Ochi’Idoma, Agabaidu John Elaigwu Odogbo, made the call at a colloquium on state police organised by Lawyers Alert in collaboration with the Bureau of Homeland Security in Makurdi.

The monarchs said their grassroots presence and knowledge of local communities positioned them to help assess the character and suitability of prospective officers, identify emerging threats and strengthen coordination between communities and security agencies.

Both monarchs said effective policing would also require adequate funding, transparent, merit-based recruitment, professional training and safeguards against political interference.

Ayatse said prolonged insecurity in Benue had affected traditional institutions, making their involvement critical to the proposed arrangement. He urged the government to consult traditional rulers in designing the structure, recruiting personnel and verifying their backgrounds.

According to him, their closeness to the people and knowledge of local communities placed them in a strong position to assess the character and suitability of prospective officers.

The Tor Tiv called for a clear framework governing relations among the state police, traditional institutions and other security agencies, particularly on intelligence sharing and coordinated operations. He warned that inadequate funding could undermine the outfit and urged proper budgeting and sustained financial support.

Ayatse also demanded professionalism and political neutrality, saying the state police should protect citizens and communities rather than serve individual or partisan interests.

He urged stakeholders to move from discussion to implementation and assured Governor Hyacinth Alia of the support of traditional institutions.

Odogbo said bringing policing closer to communities must be matched by professional training, proper equipment, effective use of technology and respect for the rule of law.

He advocated integrating traditional institutions into the state’s security architecture, noting that monarchs often receive early information about emerging threats because of their grassroots presence. They could support early-warning systems, intelligence gathering, mediation, community engagement and conflict prevention without interfering with the constitutional responsibilities of the police.

Ochi’Idoma warned against political influence and personal connections in selecting officers, urging transparent recruitment with community consultation where appropriate.

He stressed the need for coordination with the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies and the Benue State Civil Protection Guard. Clear information-sharing arrangements, operational protocols and effective oversight, he said, would prevent duplication of duties and abuse of power.

According to him, the success of the state police should be measured by its ability to prevent attacks, protect lives and property, respond effectively to threats and restore public confidence.

The monarch commended the state government and the Bureau of Homeland Security for initiating the engagement, assuring stakeholders that traditional institutions were ready to support a people-centred, professional and accountable security system.