Knocks, Kudos as State Police Debate Gains Momentum in Nigeria

By Olusesan Laoye

The proposed creation of state police in Nigeria has continued to generate intense national debate, attracting both commendation and criticism as the country grapples with worsening insecurity.

Although many Nigerians had long advocated the decentralisation of policing, the renewed push by President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the National Assembly has brought the issue to the forefront of national discourse.

For decades, proponents of state police have argued that the country’s centralised policing structure is ill-equipped to effectively tackle local security challenges such as banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, communal clashes and other violent crimes.

The clamour dates back to the Second Republic when prominent political leaders, including Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Mallam Aminu Kano and Waziri Ibrahim, alongside governors such as Chief Bola Ige, Michael Adekunle Ajasin, Ambrose Alli, Balarabe Musa, Abubakar Rimi and others, advocated the establishment of state police as part of Nigeria’s federal structure.

However, successive administrations, both military and civilian, declined to embrace the proposal, preferring to retain the centralised command structure of the Nigeria Police Force.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan came close to advancing the idea through the 2014 National Conference, which recommended far-reaching constitutional reforms, including the establishment of state police. The recommendations, however, were never implemented following the political developments that preceded the 2015 general election.

Renewed push amid insecurity

The resurgence of the campaign is largely driven by the deteriorating security situation across the country.

In recent years, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, killings, arson and attacks on rural communities have stretched the capacity of the Nigeria Police Force, prompting renewed calls for a decentralised policing system.

Responding to these concerns, the National Assembly has made significant progress on the constitutional amendment required to establish state police.

The House of Representatives passed the relevant constitutional amendment bill on June 11, 2026, while the Senate followed suit on June 24, 2026, securing the required two-thirds majority in both chambers.

The amendment proposes a dual policing structure by altering Section 214 of the Constitution to recognise both the Federal Police and State Police Services.

Under the proposal, state commissioners of police would be appointed by governors, subject to confirmation by their respective State Houses of Assembly.

The Federal Police would retain responsibility for cross-border crimes, terrorism, cybercrime and the protection of federal assets, while intervention in state policing would only occur at the request of a governor or in the event of a breakdown of law and order.

The bill has now been transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly, where at least 24 legislatures must approve it before it returns to the National Assembly for final ratification and presidential assent.

Mixed reactions

The proposal has continued to divide public opinion.

Supporters argue that state police will improve intelligence gathering, enhance community policing and enable faster responses to local security threats.

Critics, however, fear that governors could misuse state police to intimidate political opponents, manipulate elections or suppress dissent.

Security experts insist that adequate constitutional safeguards must be put in place to prevent abuse.

The Senate has defended the constitutional amendment, maintaining that the initiative is driven by national security needs rather than political considerations.

If eventually adopted, analysts believe the reform would significantly reduce the burden on the Federal Government by allowing states to design security strategies suited to their peculiar circumstances.

Governors back proposal

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, recently disclosed that all 36 state governors support the creation of state police.

Speaking in Abuja, Oyebanji said governors would work towards the speedy legislative approval of the constitutional amendments required for implementation.

He said decentralising policing would strengthen efforts to tackle local security challenges more effectively.

Ekweremadu’s long-standing advocacy

Former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu remains one of the earliest and most consistent advocates of state police.

Through lectures, legislative interventions and constitutional amendment bills dating back to 2010, Ekweremadu repeatedly argued that Nigeria’s unitary policing structure was incompatible with true federalism.

In lectures delivered at the Federal University of Technology, Minna; Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Canada; and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, among others, he consistently described over-centralisation of powers and the absence of fiscal federalism as major obstacles to effective governance.

His advocacy was supported by extensive research conducted with a team led by constitutional scholar Prof. Offornze Amucheazi, which examined policing models in federal systems such as the United States, Canada and Brazil.

Ironically, some of those who opposed his proposals have since reconsidered their positions in light of Nigeria’s worsening security situation.

Former Senator Ita Enang, who previously opposed state police, admitted that concerns over possible abuse by governors informed his earlier stance.

Funding concerns

Funding remains one of the major concerns raised by opponents of state police.

Critics argue that many states already struggle to meet existing financial obligations and may find it difficult to sustain separate police services.

However, security expert Dr. Ben Aloszie dismissed such fears, suggesting that funding could be supported through allocations from the Federation Account while states provide operational logistics.

Police chief expresses reservations

Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has also expressed reservations about the proposal.

According to him, state police could become vulnerable to political interference if adequate safeguards are not established.

He warned that politicians, particularly governors, might deploy state police against political opponents.

Legal experts advocate caution

Human rights lawyer Barrister Niyi Aborisade urged lawmakers to thoroughly scrutinise the legal framework for the proposed reform.

While acknowledging concerns about possible abuse by some governors, he argued that the advantages of decentralised policing far outweigh the risks.

“I don’t think those raising concerns are opposed to state police,” he said.

“The position that implementation should be delayed until after elections is understandable, considering that some ambitious governors may attempt to use state police against political opponents.

“However, after weighing both sides, I believe Nigeria stands to benefit significantly because state police will complement the overstretched Nigeria Police Force in tackling crime.”

Community policing advantage

Public affairs commentator Elder Moses Olorode also threw his weight behind the proposal.

According to him, locally recruited officers would possess better knowledge of their communities and be more effective in identifying criminal elements.

“Those recruited into the state police will be locals who understand the terrain and can easily identify criminals operating within their communities,” he said.

Political analyst Dr. Thomas Olayode described the proposal as one of President Tinubu’s most significant governance initiatives.

He argued that the establishment of state police, alongside ongoing tax reforms, represents a broader effort to restructure Nigeria.

“The officers will understand the terrain, culture and communities they serve, making policing more effective,” he said.

Recruitment must remain professional

A retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Wilson Inalegwu, cautioned that the success of state police would depend largely on professionalism.

Speaking during a recent television interview, he warned against recruiting political thugs, vigilante members or party loyalists into the proposed force.

“We are praying they will not use vigilante members, political thugs or party supporters to form the new police force,” he said.

According to him, transparent recruitment procedures and political neutrality would determine whether the reform succeeds.

Lone opposition in House

During the House of Representatives’ consideration of the constitutional amendment, Bashir Usman, representing Birnin Gwari/Giwa Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, emerged as the only lawmaker to oppose the bill.

Usman clarified that his opposition was not directed at the concept of state police itself but at what he described as the rushed consideration of the constitutional review report.

He argued that lawmakers were not given sufficient time to study the extensive constitutional amendments before voting.

The road ahead

As the constitutional amendment awaits approval by the required number of State Houses of Assembly, the debate over state police is expected to intensify.

Supporters see the reform as a long-overdue response to Nigeria’s complex security challenges, while critics insist that robust safeguards must first be put in place to prevent political abuse.