The intensifying wave of insecurity across Nigeria has reignited the long-standing debate over the creation of state police, sharply dividing governors, lawmakers and key stakeholders along ideological and regional lines.
At the heart of the renewed push is a growing consensus among many state governments that the current centralised policing structure, anchored by the Nigeria Police Force, is overstretched and increasingly unable to respond effectively to the country’s evolving security challenges.
From insurgency in the North-East to banditry in the North-West, and rising cases of kidnapping and communal clashes across other regions, the urgency for a more localised security framework has become difficult to ignore.
Governors of several states, including Dapo Abiodun, Caleb Mutfwang, and Abba Yusuf, alongside their counterparts in Zamfara, Taraba, Kebbi, Adamawa, Nasarawa and Kwara, have thrown their weight behind the establishment of state police. Many of these states are already taking preliminary steps towards decentralised policing, signalling a shift from rhetoric to action.
Proponents argue that state-controlled policing would enhance intelligence gathering, improve rapid response, and foster stronger community trust—factors seen as critical in addressing localised threats.
However, the proposal has also drawn firm resistance.
Governors such as Babagana Zulum and his counterpart in Sokoto State have cautioned against what they describe as a premature move. Their concerns centre on the potential for abuse, warning that without robust legal and institutional safeguards, state police could be weaponised by political actors to suppress dissent and consolidate power.
This divergence reflects deeper structural concerns about governance, accountability, and the maturity of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Amid the growing debate, President Bola Tinubu has consistently signalled support for the creation of state police as part of broader efforts to tackle insecurity nationwide.
In a recent move that underscores this commitment, the newly appointed Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, constituted a committee tasked with developing a framework for the potential implementation of state policing.
As the conversation gains momentum, Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads—balancing the urgent need for improved security with the equally pressing demand for safeguards against abuse.
The decisions taken in the coming months may well redefine the architecture of policing in the country for generations to come.
