Nigeria’s long standing debate over the creation of state police has gained fresh momentum following President Bola Tinubu’s move to advance constitutional reforms aimed at decentralising the nation’s policing structure and strengthening security across the country.
ValidViewNetwork reports that President Tinubu has urged the National Assembly to commence constitutional amendments that would provide the legal framework for the establishment of state police as part of efforts to address terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, insurgency, and other security challenges confronting the nation.
Speaking during engagements with lawmakers, the President stressed the need to rethink Nigeria’s security architecture, arguing that greater involvement of state governments in policing could improve local intelligence gathering and response capabilities.
He told lawmakers: “What I am asking for tonight is for you to start thinking how best to amend the constitution to incorporate the state police for us to secure our country, take over our forests from marauders, free our children from fear, ValidViewNetwork reports.
The proposal seeks to amend relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution to allow individual states to establish and operate police services alongside the federal Nigeria Police Force. Supporters argue that decentralised policing would enable quicker responses to local security threats and improve community based law enforcement.
ValidViewNetwork reports that the proposal has received significant attention within the National Assembly, where lawmakers have expressed support for examining constitutional provisions necessary to establish state police while also ensuring safeguards against potential abuse.
President Tinubu has also emphasised that any constitutional amendment establishing state police must contain adequate checks and balances to prevent misuse by state authorities. According to him, the reform should not be implemented without mechanisms capable of protecting citizens from possible political interference or abuse of power.
The debate over state police has remained one of Nigeria’s most prominent constitutional and security discussions for decades. Advocates believe it would strengthen grassroots security and reduce pressure on the centrally controlled police structure, while critics have raised concerns regarding funding, accountability, and the possibility of political manipulation by state governments.
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Recent legislative developments indicate growing momentum behind the reform, with constitutional amendment proposals relating to state policing receiving consideration in both chambers of the National Assembly. The process will require approval by the National Assembly and ratification by at least two thirds of state Houses of Assembly before becoming law.
Should the constitutional amendment succeed, it would represent one of the most significant changes to Nigeria’s security framework since the return to democratic rule in 1999. The outcome of the legislative process is expected to shape future discussions on security, federalism, and governance, while determining how responsibilities for law enforcement are shared between the federal and state governments in the years ahead.
