Oluyede Advocates Urgent Police Restructuring, Local Defence Industry Development
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) nominee, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has strongly advocated for an urgent restructuring and empowerment of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), arguing that the military is currently managing numerous operations that should rightfully fall under police jurisdiction.
General Oluyede, the outgoing Chief of Army Staff, made the call on Wednesday while being screened by senators at the National Assembly.
Empowering the Police to Combat Internal Threats.
General Oluyede stressed the need to strengthen the police so the military can focus on its core constitutional mandate: defending Nigeria against external aggression.
> “There is a need for us to improve and maybe probably restructure the police force because most of the jobs that are being done by the army, as we speak, actually lie within the power of the police,” he told the lawmakers. “So, it’s important for the nation to empower the police, make it stronger, make it more formidable so that they can do their job while we concentrate on defending Nigeria against external aggression.”
His remarks align with increasing pressure from political leaders for localized policing structures, such as the establishment of state police, a strategy previously recommended by the 2014 National Conference.
While the idea remains contentious due to fears of potential political abuse, the National Assembly has pledged to develop a comprehensive legal framework for state police in its ongoing constitutional amendment exercise.
General Oluyede also emphasized the critical need for Nigeria to develop its own defence manufacturing industry.
He stated that reliance on imported military equipment is unsustainable and too expensive, severely limiting the resources available to prosecute the wars against terrorism, banditry, and other crimes.
> “It’s imperative for us to know that for Nigeria to move forward, it’s imperative that we develop our own local military industrial complex because we can’t keep on buying equipment from outside because these things are extremely expensive,” he argued.
Addressing the overall security situation, the CDS nominee noted that things have “improved tremendously” compared to previous years but stressed that more work is required, urging a “whole society approach” where every citizen is involved.
Furthermore, he urged the government to regulate the dissemination of information related to cybercrime, cyberwarfare, and cyberattacks, which he identified as a threat to national security.
If confirmed as the CDS, General Oluyede pledged to prioritize the welfare of officers and their families, though he acknowledged the difficulty in achieving this “in total because of a lack of resources.”
