The push for state police gained fresh momentum over the weekend as rising insecurity nationwide forced governors, lawmakers, and stakeholders into a defining debate, with most states backing the proposal. In contrast, others warned of abuse, repression, and political misuse.
From the North to the South, the fault lines are clear: while many states are already laying the groundwork for decentralised policing, critics insist Nigeria lacks safeguards to prevent governors from turning such outfits into instruments of control.
While governors of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, Abba Yusuf of Kano State, and those of Zamfara, Taraba, Kebbi, Adamawa, Nasarawa, and Kwara states argued that state police was the way to go and had started putting measures in place to actualise community policing, Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, and his Sokoto State counterpart, among others, said Nigeria was not mature enough for state police.
The development comes amid worsening insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and communal clashes that have stretched the centrally controlled Nigeria Police Force to its limits.
President Bola Tinubu has repeatedly stated his desire for state police to combat insecurity. Recently, the new Inspector General Police, Olatunji Disu, set up a committee to lay out measures to actualise state police.
To be actualised, the National Assembly must amend the Constitution to accommodate state police with the backing of at least 24 or two-thirds of the 36 states of the federation.
Kano has also deployed over 2,000 personnel under a neighbourhood watch scheme, with Governor Abba Yusuf saying “it makes us safer… we are professionalising our community security approach.”
Zamfara, Taraba, Kebbi, Adamawa, Nasarawa and Kwara are aligning with the proposal, with some already funding or expanding local security outfits.
However, opposition remains strong.
Borno State governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, warned: “Honestly speaking… I will not support it. Nigeria is not mature for state police.
“Some state governors can use it to wipe away other tribes… if half of the power is given… Nigeria will be in problem.”
