Ex-IGP Ehindero: Too much military visibility is unhealthy for democracy

Sunday Ehindero, former inspector-general of police, has cautioned against the growing visibility of the military in the country.

Ehindero, who spoke on Saturday in Abuja at the launch of two biographies of Usman Alkali Baba, the immediate past inspector-general of police, said the military plays an important role in national security, but its expanding presence is not healthy for democracy.

“The security architecture of this country needs to be rejigged.” Ehindero said.

“With apologies to the military here, too much military visibility in a democracy is not good.

“While I praise them for the work they are doing — they are doing marvellously — it is not their fault.

“They should concentrate more on our borders to prevent these miscreants from coming into the country. Our territorial integrity must be maintained and protected.”

Ehindero dismissed claims that the country’s rising police population is tied to bad governance.

“We are about 230 million people. When people retire, die or are dismissed, the police must be replenished. I disagree with the notion that we have more policemen because of bad governance,” he said.

He said he now supports the creation of state police after opposing the idea for decades.

“I have been against the establishment of state police for 30 years. But this time, when I saw the details, I embraced it. It is a step in the right direction, considering banditry, terrorism and other crimes,” Ehindero said.

The former IGP urged the federal government to consider retired police officers for ambassadorial appointments.

He said retired IGPs had previously served in such roles and contributed significantly.

Ehindero defended Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser, against criticism for being a former police officer.

He said several retired IGPs had occupied similar security leadership positions in the past.

On his part, Baba thanked the president for renewed efforts to restore what he described as police primacy in internal security.

He commended the presidential directive withdrawing police personnel attached to “undeserving” personalities.

“I am profoundly grateful to His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, for his consistent action directed at restoring dwindling police primacy in the internal security architecture,” he said.

“This was again made manifest by the recent presidential order on the withdrawal of police personnel attached to undeserving personalities.

“As far as my memory serves me, this is the first time that such an order will emanate directly from a sitting president. We tried to do it as IGPs, but we couldn’t make it. Let’s see how this one will work.”