A security expert, Mogaji Busayo, has backed the ongoing nationwide redeployment of personnel within the Nigeria Police Force, describing it as a strategic reform aimed at boosting operational efficiency and restoring public confidence.
Busayo, who serves as a liaison and policing consultant between Nigeria and the United States, said the mass transfer of officers from zonal commands in Abuja, Lagos, Kano and other major formations to divisional and frontline units should be seen as a deliberate effort to strengthen grassroots policing.
He noted that for years, the concentration of officers at administrative and zonal headquarters has weakened policing effectiveness at the community level, where direct interaction with citizens occurs. According to him, many divisions and police stations have remained understaffed, affecting response times and reducing visibility in communities.
The expert also raised concerns about prolonged postings, revealing that some officers have remained in the same locations for over a decade, with cases stretching beyond 20 years. He warned that such long stays could lead to stagnation, reduced accountability, and over-familiarity, ultimately weakening performance.
“Policing requires rotation and fresh exposure. When officers stay too long in one place, efficiency naturally declines,” Busayo said.
He explained that redistributing personnel to underserved areas would enhance visibility policing—widely regarded as a key deterrent to crime—while also improving rapid response to emergencies and distress calls.
Busayo added that the reform could help rebuild trust between the police and the public by encouraging closer engagement at the community level. He stressed that increased interaction between officers and residents would improve intelligence gathering and foster cooperation essential for modern policing.
While acknowledging mixed reactions to the redeployment, he said resistance is typical in large-scale institutional reforms but insisted that the long-term gains—safer communities, faster response times, and improved service delivery—far outweigh temporary disruptions.
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He described the exercise as a significant step toward modernising Nigeria’s policing system, aligning it with global best practices that emphasise decentralisation, community engagement, and operational responsiveness.
According to Busayo, the success of the initiative will ultimately depend on its sustainability and its ability to deliver measurable improvements in security and public trust across the country.
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