Magnus Onyibe: Making a Case for Community-based Intelligence, Policing

The writer Magnus Onyibe, a former Delta State Commissioner and public policy analyst, contends that Nigeria can better address its security challenges by effectively harnessing the knowledge and intelligence of those who know the neighbourhood best. In his new book, *The Imperative of State Police in Nigeria*, Onyibe advocates for a closer relationship between policing and community, emphasizing the importance of grassroots intelligence and local institutions in maintaining neighborhood safety.

Onyibe's motivation for writing the book stems from Nigeria's tumultuous past, where the military ruled without regard for human rights. The return to democratic rule prompted Onyibe to promote the role of police in managing unrest and protests, as opposed to the military, which he believes should focus on tackling more pressing security threats. In his mass media column titled *Leading from the Streets*, Onyibe penned numerous articles over the years that have served as the foundation for his book.

Nigeria's insecurity crisis is largely attributed to the centralised policing system, which has led to a slow response time and a lack of credible intelligence from the grassroots. The loss of the regional policing system, which previously thrived in the hinterlands, has deprived Nigeria of its local intelligence-gathering capacity. As a result, non-state actors have been able to thrive and exacerbate the level of insecurity within the country.

To combat this issue, Onyibe advocates for the return of policing to its roots, with the police acting as the leading actor in maintaining law and order. By involving community leaders and traditional rulers in policing efforts, Nigeria can regain its decentralized policing system and enhance its ability to tackle security threats. The presence of police alone serves as a deterrent, and credible intelligence from local sources is crucial for thwarting the activities of non-state actors.