FG advances plans for state policing

The Presidency has disclosed that plans to establish state police are at an advanced stage, with a constitutional amendment expected in the coming weeks as consultations among key stakeholders near conclusion.

Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, made the disclosure on Thursday while briefing journalists after a high-level consultative meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to him, the process, initiated on the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has recorded substantial progress over the past few months, with discussions now focused on finalising the constitutional framework required for the creation of state police.

“Establishing state police is not something that can be done overnight. There are constitutional and legal issues that must be addressed, but we have made significant progress and gained considerable traction,” Gbajabiamila said.

He explained that once the constitutional amendment is secured, the necessary legislation to operationalise the system would follow.

The Chief of Staff noted that the debate has largely shifted from whether Nigeria should adopt state policing to determining the most effective legal and institutional framework for its implementation.

Gbajabiamila added that President Tinubu, a long-time advocate of decentralised policing, would receive a comprehensive report on the outcome of the consultations.

The meeting was part of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to develop a workable state police structure aimed at strengthening internal security, improving intelligence gathering and enhancing the capacity of state governments to respond to emerging security threats.

Among those present at the meeting were the Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

The renewed push for state police comes amid growing concerns over insecurity across the country, with advocates arguing that decentralised policing would improve grassroots security, strengthen community intelligence and provide a more effective response to local security challenges.

If approved, the proposed constitutional amendment would mark a major shift in Nigeria’s policing structure and could redefine the country’s approach to law enforcement and public safety.