President Bola Ahmed Tinubu revealed that Nigeria has assured its partners in the United States and the European Union of its plans to introduce state police as a key response to the country’s persistent security challenges.
The president stated that the commitment was made during discussions with international partners, where Nigeria’s internal security situation was a key topic. He explained that the federal government is convinced that restructuring the national police system is necessary to effectively combat crimes such as banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, and communal violence.
According to Tinubu, the current centralized policing model has struggled to meet the security needs of local communities, prompting renewed efforts to decentralize law enforcement. He noted that state police would empower subnational governments to assume greater responsibility for security within their jurisdictions, while continuing to collaborate with federal agencies.
The president stated that the expected benefits of the proposed reform include improved intelligence gathering, faster emergency response, and greater community engagement. He added that the administration is aware of concerns about potential political abuse of state police and is committed to establishing strong legal and institutional safeguards.
Tinubu stated that consultations are underway with state governments, legislators, security professionals, and other stakeholders to ensure that the state police framework is transparent, accountable, and constitutionally sound.
The debate over state police has remained unresolved for years. Supporters see it as a necessary step toward improving security, while critics warn of potential misuse. Tinubu’s latest statements indicate that his administration is prepared to move the conversation forward and toward concrete implementation.
Be the first to comment