Vetland Senior Grammar School, Lagos, has defeated Government Day Secondary School, Karu, Abuja, in a debate on whether state police will improve national security at the Nigeria Info I Beg To Differ Season 9 National Finals.
The contest, held on Day One of the national finals, featured the motion, “State Police Will Improve National Security.”
Vetland Senior Grammar School, runners-up at the Lagos Regional Finals, was represented by Popoola Oyinkansola Mary and Olagbaju Hepzibah Oluwajomiloju, while Government Day Secondary School, Karu, winners of the Abuja Regional Finals, was represented by Joseph Majesty and Uku Precious.
Arguing in favour of state police, the Lagos team maintained that decentralised policing would bring security closer to communities and improve intelligence gathering and emergency response.
The team argued that local officers would have a better understanding of the language, culture, terrain and security concerns of their communities, making it easier to identify threats and respond quickly.
Vetland also argued that decentralising policing would reduce the pressure on Nigeria’s centralised security system and help address security gaps at the grassroots.
The Abuja team, however, raised concerns about the financial and political implications of establishing state police.
Government Day Secondary School argued that many states may lack the financial capacity to establish, equip and sustain effective police forces, particularly given the dependence of several states on federal allocations.
The team also warned that state police could be vulnerable to political interference, especially during elections, with governors potentially using security forces to intimidate political opponents or influence electoral processes.
It further argued that crimes such as terrorism, organised crime and cross-border criminal activities require strong national coordination, intelligence sharing and centralised security structures.
In response, Vetland argued that security resources could be decentralised to provide states and local authorities with adequate funding to operate effective policing units.
The Lagos team also pointed to existing regional security initiatives such as Amotekun as examples of locally focused security structures.
Following three rounds of opening statements, rebuttals and closing arguments, Vetland Senior Grammar School emerged victorious with 79.4 points, while Government Day Secondary School, Karu, scored 72.6 points.
Vetland was declared the winner by unanimous decision, securing 3Points in Group A as the I Beg To Differ Season 9 National Finals continue.
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