By Our Correspondent
Former Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Barak, has advised Nigeria to establish a centrally coordinated rapid response police force capable of reinforcing state police commands during security emergencies, describing such a structure as critical to the success of the country's evolving policing system.
Barak made the recommendation during an interview on ARISE Television, where he stressed that while decentralising policing through state commands could improve security, it must be complemented by strong federal coordination, intelligence sharing and operational collaboration.
According to the former Israeli leader, the creation of state police should not diminish the Federal Government's role in maintaining national security or coordinating responses to threats that transcend state boundaries.
"The fact that there is a state police for every government doesn't mean there should be no coordination or dialogue with Abuja," Barak said, adding that the Federal Government must retain access to information generated by state police commands to ensure an integrated national security framework.
Rapid Deployment Unit
Barak proposed the establishment of a federal rapid deployment police unit that could be mobilised at short notice to support any state confronting security challenges beyond the capacity of its local police.
He explained that such a force would serve as a strategic reserve, providing operational reinforcement during major emergencies, large-scale criminal attacks, terrorism incidents or other crises requiring additional manpower and specialised capabilities.
According to him, the arrangement would preserve the autonomy of state police while ensuring that no state is left isolated when confronted with extraordinary security threats.
The former Israeli prime minister noted that effective policing in a federal system depends on constant communication, transparency and intelligence sharing among all levels of government.
Military Should Not Replace Police
Barak also cautioned against the increasing reliance on the military for internal security operations, arguing that armed forces are primarily trained for warfare rather than civilian law enforcement.
He warned that prolonged military involvement in policing often produces unintended consequences because soldiers operate under different rules of engagement from police officers.
While acknowledging the important role of the military in safeguarding national security, he maintained that military deployment should be reserved for exceptional situations, particularly when heavily armed groups seize territory or establish parallel authority that threatens the sovereignty of the state.
In such circumstances, he said, the armed forces become indispensable in restoring order before conventional policing can resume.
Commends Nigeria's Democratic Resilience
Despite Nigeria's security challenges, Barak praised the country's ability to confront multiple threats simultaneously while preserving democratic governance.
He observed that Nigeria continues to battle terrorism, organised crime, kidnapping, banditry and separatist agitations without abandoning its democratic institutions, describing the country's resilience as noteworthy.
According to him, meaningful security reforms require patience, institutional commitment and long-term planning rather than expectations of immediate transformation.
Lessons from Israel's Experience
Drawing on Israel's decades-long experience in building modern intelligence and law enforcement institutions, Barak said Nigeria should recognise that developing an effective security architecture is a gradual process.
He noted that Israel's globally recognised intelligence and policing capabilities were built over many years through continuous reforms, technological innovation and sustained investment in personnel and operational capacity.
Barak, who played key roles in several high-profile counter-terrorism and hostage rescue operations during his military and political career, said even Israel continues to confront complex security challenges, including organised crime and internal violence.
He advised Nigerian authorities to view setbacks as opportunities to improve strategies, strengthen institutions and refine operational approaches rather than abandoning ongoing reforms.
Debate on Security Reforms
Barak's recommendations come amid renewed national discussions on restructuring Nigeria's security architecture, particularly the growing demand for the establishment of state police as a response to rising insecurity across different parts of the country.
Advocates argue that decentralised policing would enhance intelligence gathering, improve community engagement and enable quicker responses to local security threats, while opponents have expressed concerns over possible political interference and abuse by state governments.
By recommending a federal rapid response police force operating alongside state police commands, Barak presented a model that seeks to balance local policing with national coordination, arguing that cooperation between both levels of government would be essential to addressing Nigeria's increasingly complex security challenges.
He urged policymakers to remain committed to strengthening policing institutions, improving intelligence coordination and investing in modern security capabilities as part of a long-term strategy to enhance public safety and national stability.
