Nigerian Governors pushes for decentralised policing as insecurity concerns grow across Nigeria
The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) has officially submitted a proposal advocating for the establishment of state police to the Federal Government, marking a significant step toward restructuring the country’s security architecture.
The proposal, which was developed after extensive consultations among state governors, has been forwarded to the Office of the National Security Adviser and is expected to be transmitted to the National Assembly for legislative consideration.
Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, disclosed this development following a high-level meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He noted that the move reflects a collective position of state governors in addressing the persistent security challenges facing the nation.
According to him, the proposed state police framework is designed to complement the existing federal policing system by allowing states to establish and manage their own security outfits within a regulated structure.
Nigeria currently operates a centralised policing system under the Nigeria Police Force, a structure that has faced increasing criticism over its ability to effectively respond to localised security threats such as banditry, kidnapping, and communal clashes.
Proponents of state police argue that decentralising the policing system will enhance rapid response to crimes, improve intelligence gathering at the grassroots level, and strengthen collaboration between local and federal security agencies.
However, the proposal has continued to generate mixed reactions across the country. While many stakeholders support the initiative as a necessary reform, others have raised concerns over the potential misuse of state-controlled police by political leaders, particularly in suppressing opposition voices.
The National Assembly is expected to review the proposal and consider necessary constitutional amendments that would pave the way for the establishment of state police in Nigeria.
If approved, the move could represent a major shift in Nigeria’s security framework and redefine how law enforcement is managed across the federation.
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