•Chairman, Nigeria Police Force Committee on State Police, Prof. Olu Ogunsakin, presenting (on behalf of IG, Olatunji Rilwan Disu) framework for the establishment of State Police to the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, at the National Assembly, Abuja…yesterday
The push for the establishment of state police in Nigeria has gathered fresh momentum following the submission of a comprehensive reform framework to the Senate by the Nigeria Police Force.
The proposal, developed by a committee set up by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, was presented by committee chairman, Olu Ogunsakin, to the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, at the National Assembly in Abuja.
The 75-page document outlines operational structures, safeguards, and legal frameworks for the creation of state police, marking a significant step toward decentralising Nigeria’s policing system.
At the heart of the proposal is a constitutional amendment to move policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List—an adjustment that would empower both federal and state governments to operate police services.
The committee recommended the establishment of two distinct but coordinated bodies: a federal-level Nigeria Police Service and State Police Services at the sub-national level. Clear jurisdictional boundaries were also proposed to prevent operational overlap and conflict.
To address concerns over potential abuse, particularly by state governors, the framework introduces multiple layers of accountability. These include legislative oversight by state assemblies, the creation of state police councils and service commissions, and independent ombudsman offices.
Significantly, the proposal seeks to criminalise compliance with unlawful directives from governors, while also ensuring that commissioners of police are not appointed solely at the discretion of state executives.
Election security, a highly sensitive area, is to remain under the control of the federal police as a safeguard to protect democratic processes.
Other key provisions include:
- A minimum residency requirement of 10 years for state police applicants
- Seamless transfer of personnel between federal and state police without loss of pension or career progression
- Guaranteed job security for officers across both systems
The framework also proposes a shift in terminology—from “force” to “service”—to reflect a more community-oriented policing philosophy.
Submitting the report, Ogunsakin said it was the product of extensive consultations and professional analysis of legal, administrative, and operational implications.
“It is our expectation that the contents of this report will contribute meaningfully to ongoing deliberations and support balanced decisions on this critical national issue,” he noted.
Responding, Jibrin described the document as proactive and aligned with the security agenda of President Bola Tinubu, assuring that it would be carefully reviewed alongside other submissions in the ongoing constitutional amendment process.
The move toward state policing has gained traction amid growing insecurity and calls for more localised security structures. Both the President and state governors have expressed support for the initiative, seen as a potential solution to policing gaps and ungoverned spaces across the country.
However, its implementation will depend on constitutional amendments by the National Assembly, setting the stage for what could become one of the most significant security reforms in Nigeria’s history.
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