Nigeria’s State Police Push Gains Momentum as IGP Submits 75-Page Blueprint to Senate
In a decisive step toward decentralizing Nigeria’s security architecture, Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu has formally submitted a 75-page framework for the establishment of state police to the Senate, signaling what he calls an “irreversible” shift in the nation’s policing strategy.
The comprehensive document, titled “A Comprehensive Framework for the Establishment, Governance and Coordination of Federal and State Police,” was presented Thursday to Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who chairs the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution.
A Strategic Blueprint for Reform
The framework—crafted by a committee led by Professor Olu Ogunsakin—outlines operational structures, governance models, and coordination mechanisms between federal and state forces. According to the IGP, the proposal reflects extensive consultations and aims to provide a balanced roadmap for addressing the administrative and legal complexities of state policing.
“It is our expectation that the contents of this report will meaningfully contribute to ongoing deliberations,” Disu stated, emphasizing the Force’s formal contribution to the constitutional review process.
Prof. Olu Ogunsakin, who heads the state policing review committee of the Nigeria Police Force, delivered a detailed proposal on behalf of IGP Tunji Disu to Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin during a session at the National Assembly in Abuja on March 26, 2026.
The Road Ahead
Senator Jibrin praised the IGP’s proactive role, noting that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s security agenda. The Senate committee is currently reviewing a bill to allow states to establish their own police forces—a move backed by all 36 state governors in 2024 amid rising threats like banditry, insurgency, and kidnapping.
However, the path to implementation remains steep. Critics warn of risks including potential abuse by state governors, funding shortfalls, and human rights violations without robust accountability safeguards. Any constitutional amendment will require approval from the National Assembly and at least two-thirds of State Houses of Assembly.
Comments
This post currently has no comments.