Insecurity: Tinubu Tells US, Europe State Police is Inevitable
Amid mounting insecurity across Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has renewed his push for the creation of state police, disclosing that he has assured the United States and European partners that his administration will implement decentralised policing to tackle worsening violence nationwide.
Tinubu made the disclosure on Thursday at the 14th National Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, as senior party leaders openly lamented what they described as “organised and orchestrated insecurity” engulfing many parts of the country.
The President said state police had become inevitable in addressing Nigeria’s internal security challenges, insisting that “it must happen” if governance and safety at the grassroots are to improve.
“I had a very long discussion with them — US and European partners — and I was bragging to them that we will definitely pass a state police bill to improve security,” Tinubu told party leaders.
“They asked me if I’m confident, and I said yes. I have a party to depend on. I have a party that will make it happen,” he added.
His remarks come against the backdrop of persistent attacks by terrorists, bandits and kidnappers, renewed calls for decentralised policing, and growing pressure on the Federal Government to rethink Nigeria’s centralised security architecture.
Tinubu also linked insecurity to weak grassroots governance, urging APC governors to allow local government autonomy to function effectively by releasing funds meant for councils.
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“There is no autonomy without a funded mandate. Give them their money directly. That’s compliance with the Supreme Court judgment,” the President said, referring to the recent ruling mandating direct allocation to local governments.
The President argued that governors and local leaders must take responsibility for security in their domains, stressing that reconciliation, flexibility and inclusion at the grassroots level were critical to stabilising communities.
While commending party leaders, Tinubu urged the APC to show leadership by strengthening governance at the state and local levels, warning that failure at that level could worsen insecurity.
The security concerns dominated discussions at the caucus meeting, while Senate President Godswill Akpabio decries the country’s situation.
“We are very sad that people have decided to torment Nigeria with very serious, organised and orchestrated insecurity,” Akpabio said.
He noted that many states were grieving due to attacks, adding that terrorism, banditry and insurgency were being deliberately deployed to destabilise the country.
Akpabio disclosed that the National Assembly had taken “bold decisions” to deter crime, including legislative moves to classify kidnapping alongside terrorism — a step that could attract the death penalty once assented to by the President.
He also urged governors to enforce existing laws on capital offences, warning that failure to sign execution warrants could embolden convicted criminals.
While thanking Tinubu for securing the release of over 100 recently kidnapped children, Akpabio appealed for intensified efforts to rescue those still in captivity.
By PRNigeria
