The Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu has submitted a detailed framework for the creation of state police to Barau Jibrin, marking a significant step toward decentralising policing in Nigeria.
The 75-page document, presented Thursday at the National Assembly, was delivered on the IGP’s behalf by Professor Olu Ogunsakin, who led the police committee that developed the proposal. Titled “A Comprehensive Framework for the Establishment, Governance and Coordination of Federal and State Police,” it outlines how state police would be structured, governed, and coordinated with federal authorities.
Disu said the report reflects extensive consultations and offers practical, balanced recommendations to guide ongoing constitutional reforms. He described it as the Nigeria Police Force’s formal contribution to the review of the 1999 Constitution.
Jibrin, who chairs the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review, praised the initiative and said it aligns with the security agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He assured that lawmakers would examine the proposal alongside other submissions.
The push for state police follows a 2024 agreement between the president and Nigeria’s 36 governors, driven by rising insecurity, including banditry, insurgency, and kidnapping. However, concerns persist over potential abuse by state authorities, funding challenges, and the need for strong accountability safeguards.
While the IGP described the move as “irreversible,” its implementation hinges on constitutional amendments requiring approval by the National Assembly and at least two-thirds of state assemblies.
