In a significant stride towards addressing Nigeria’s pressing security challenges, governors of the 36 states have largely backed the establishment of state police, a move aimed at decentralizing law enforcement and enhancing local security. This development was disclosed after the 147th meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja on Thursday.
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, who briefed State House Correspondents, revealed that all 36 states had submitted their positions on state-controlled policing, with a majority expressing overwhelming support for the initiative.
“Today, one of the discussions we had at the NEC meeting was the update on the creation of state police,” Governor Sani stated. “As you are aware, there was a submission by states toward the establishment of state police. All 36 states, minus the Federal Capital Territory, have submitted their positions. The FCT, being a non-state, has provided an explanation for its non-submission. From the submissions available, it is clear that most states are in agreement with the establishment of state police in Nigeria. I want to say here clearly that most of us are in agreement with the establishment of state police.”
The push for state policing comes against the backdrop of worsening insecurity across the country. Governor Sani underscored the urgency of this reform, citing the challenge of ungoverned spaces and the acute shortage of security personnel, including police and military forces, which have struggled to effectively cover the nation’s vast terrain.
“The consensus among governors stems from the reality that current federal policing structures cannot adequately address the peculiar security needs of individual states,” he noted. “The creation of state police will allow for localized and community-based solutions to these issues, bringing law enforcement closer to the people.”
Despite the widespread agreement, NEC deferred further discussions on the implementation of state police to January, signaling the need for more deliberations on the framework, funding, and legislative adjustments required to bring the proposal to fruition.
Governor Sani painted a stark picture of Nigeria’s security landscape, where ungoverned spaces have become breeding grounds for criminal activities, insurgencies, and banditry. He emphasized that state-controlled policing could serve as a crucial tool for reclaiming these areas, empowering local governments to proactively address threats unique to their regions.
While the idea of state policing has garnered significant support, challenges remain. Key issues include ensuring adequate funding, maintaining checks and balances to prevent abuse of power, and aligning the initiative with Nigeria’s federal structure. Experts have also cautioned that without clear operational guidelines, the decentralization of law enforcement could lead to jurisdictional conflicts or political interference.
As NEC gears up to revisit this critical issue in January, stakeholders across the country are watching closely. The momentum behind state police signals a growing recognition of the need for innovative approaches to tackle Nigeria’s evolving security challenges. However, the success of this initiative will hinge on comprehensive planning and the political will to address potential pitfalls.
For now, the governors’ collective endorsement marks a pivotal step in what could be a transformative reform for Nigeria’s security architecture.
PIONEER NEWS 