The push for the establishment of state police gained fresh support on Thursday as government officials, governors, lawmakers, security experts and international stakeholders called for a major reform of Nigeria’s policing system to tackle rising insecurity.
Speaking at the ARISE News and THISDAY Town Hall on State Police and National Security in Abuja, participants agreed that decentralising policing could improve intelligence gathering, strengthen community security and ensure faster responses to crimes such as terrorism, kidnapping and banditry.
However, they stressed that the success of state police would depend on strong laws, proper funding, accountability measures and safeguards against political misuse.
The discussion came shortly after President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, following the Senate’s passage of the constitutional amendment bill seeking to move policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List.
If approved, the amendment would allow states to establish their own police services under a nationally regulated framework.
Supporters of state police argue that local officers would better understand the communities they serve, making crime prevention and intelligence gathering more effective. Critics, however, have raised concerns that governors could use state police to intimidate opponents without proper checks.
Military force alone cannot end insecurity — Musa
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (retd.), said military operations remain important in fighting terrorism but cannot achieve lasting peace without community support, intelligence and dialogue.
Musa explained that counter-insurgency operations require both “kinetic and non-kinetic” approaches, adding that force alone cannot solve security challenges.
He said troops are trained to differentiate between terrorists, criminals and civilians, but noted that asymmetric warfare remains difficult because criminals often hide within communities.
“No country can shoot itself to peace. The kinetic aspect is about 25 to 30 per cent. The non-kinetic aspect, which involves dialogue, discussion and understanding, is very important,” Musa said.
He added that communities play a major role in the fight against insecurity because terrorists often depend on local support networks.
Former Israeli PM supports decentralised policing
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak backed Nigeria’s move towards state police, saying decentralised policing could make security operations more effective if supported by strong legislation.
Barak acknowledged concerns about possible political abuse but said such risks could be addressed through detailed laws and federal oversight.
According to him, police officers recruited from local communities would have better knowledge of the people, culture and environment, making them more responsive.
He, however, advised that advanced intelligence capabilities, such as signal intelligence, should remain under federal control because of their cost and national security implications.
Funding remains key challenge — Bamidele
Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele warned that state police would fail without sustainable funding and institutional independence.
He said poor financing could make state police vulnerable to political interference or control by powerful individuals.
“If the state police is not well funded, it may as well be a highway to nowhere,” Bamidele said.
He added that the proposed amendment would not force every state to immediately create its own police force but would simply provide the constitutional framework for states that choose to do so.
Governors demand more security powers
Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo said the debate over whether Nigeria needs state police had moved beyond the question of “if” and should now focus on “how” it should work.
He described state police as part of broader reforms needed to strengthen Nigeria’s federal system.
Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah also supported the reform, saying Nigeria’s current policing model had failed to keep pace with modern security challenges.
Mbah said technology, intelligence and rapid response systems helped reduce violent crime in Enugu, but argued that states needed more operational authority to protect residents.
Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal, who spoke about the security situation in his state, questioned why governors are called chief security officers without having direct control over police operations.
Lawal revealed that his brothers were kidnapped in 2019 and refused to pay the N300m ransom demanded by the criminals.
He argued that paying ransom only encourages more kidnappings.
Oshiomhole backs reform, calls for accountability
Former Edo State Governor and Senator Adams Oshiomhole said Nigeria’s current policing structure creates a contradiction by making governors responsible for security without giving them the authority to act.
He compared the situation to giving someone responsibility without the tools needed to perform.
Oshiomhole, however, stressed that state police must come with accountability mechanisms to prevent abuse.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan also warned that state police must never become a tool for political oppression.
She called for clear safeguards and adequate funding to ensure the system protects citizens and strengthens democracy.
New policing bill expected to define structure
Secretary of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, Dubem Moghalu, explained that the constitutional amendment was only the first step.
He said the proposed National Policing Bill would address issues such as recruitment, training, operational standards, cooperation between federal and state police formations, and accountability.
According to him, Nigeria would develop a policing model suited to its own realities rather than simply copying foreign systems.
SDP raises concerns over committee leadership
Meanwhile, the Social Democratic Party criticised the appointment of President Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, as chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill.
The party argued that Gbajabiamila should step aside pending investigations into allegations against him.
The Presidency has dismissed the allegations and maintained confidence in Gbajabiamila’s integrity.
As Nigeria moves closer to possible state police implementation, attention will now focus on the final constitutional process, the National Policing Bill and the safeguards required to ensure the reform improves security without undermining democratic values.
