The Cross River State Commissioner of Police, Rashid Afegbua has described the recent passage of the State Police Bill by the Senate as a historic milestone in Nigeria’s security and governance architecture.
Afegbua stated this at the 2nd International Hybrid Conference 2026, organized by the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Calabar with the theme: “Insecurity and National Development: Is the Nigerian State at Crossroad?”
Key Highlights:
- State Police Bill passage hailed as a major security milestone.
- Police Commissioner Afegbua called for technology-based policing.
- He urged stronger cooperation among security agencies.
- UNICAL stressed the need for urgent action against insecurity.
- University highlighted research and training support for security solutions.
According to him, the bill represents a bold step towards deepening true federalism and addressing the nation’s growing security challenges.
Speaking as chairman of conference, the police boss, added that to effectively tackle the nation’s security challenges, there is a need for proactive and technology-driven policing strategies.
He recommended the establishment of a dedicated state cybercrime and digital evidence unit to investigate digital offences and support intelligence-led operations.
The police commissioner said security agencies should also prioritize regular training of officers on digital evidence collection, preservation, and analysis to improve investigations and ensure the successful prosecution of offenders.
He added that building stronger liaison and operational collaboration with sister agencies will enhance intelligence sharing and enable coordinated responses to security threats.
Afegbua stressed that security is too important to be left to security agencies alone, noting that while other law enforcement agencies play critical roles, sustainable security ultimately requires collective responsibility from government, institutions, and citizens.
Declaring the conference open, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong, described insecurity as a key national challenge that demands drastic and sustained measures if Nigeria is to achieve meaningful development.
He said issues of insecurity cannot be treated with kid gloves, stressing that government, institutions, and citizens must adopt bold strategies that address both the immediate threats and the root causes.
Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Linkages and Collaborations, Prof. Anthony Eneji, the vice chancellor said national development cannot thrive where lives and property are not secure, adding that universities have a critical role to play through research, policy engagement, and training of experts who can provide practical solutions.
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Prof. Offiong said UNICAL is complementing the efforts of government through its Department of Criminology and Security Studies, which has positioned itself as a hub for research, training, and policy advice on contemporary security issues.
According to him, the Department is producing graduates equipped with modern knowledge in crime prevention, intelligence analysis, and conflict management, while its research outputs are already contributing to national conversations on policing reforms, community security, and counter-terrorism strategies.
Prof. Offiong added that UNICAL is open to collaboration with security agencies at all levels to bridge the gap between academia and practice.
He said the university is ready to provide data-driven research, training programs, and expert consultations that can enhance operational planning and policy formulation.
By working closely with the military, police, and other security institutions, he noted, UNICAL can help translate academic findings into practical tools for intelligence gathering, threat assessment, and community engagement, ensuring that solutions are grounded in evidence and tailored to Nigeria’s realities.
While commending government at federal and state levels for efforts made so far to stem the tide of insecurity through military operations, intelligence gathering, and community policing initiatives, Prof. Offiong said a lot more still needs to be done.
He argued that kinetic approaches alone cannot solve a challenge rooted in poverty, unemployment, weak institutions, and porous borders.
The vice chancellor called for a more integrated response that combines security action with job creation, education, and stronger governance structures to address the conditions that fuel criminality.
