State Police Proposal and the Urgency of Now
By Kabir Akintayo
The recent killings in Jos, alongside the terrorist attack in Kaduna and a spate of abductions across the country, have once again pushed the debate over state police to the forefront of national discourse. From the North-West to the North-Central and parts of the South-East, recurring incidents of mass killings, kidnappings, and banditry continue to expose the fragility of Nigeria’s internal security architecture.
At least 18 people were feared killed in attacks on Mangu and Bokkos communities recently. The violence followed earlier assaults, including those carried out on Palm Sunday, which prompted a visit by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Similarly, terrorists struck villages in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing no fewer than five worshippers during a church service and abducting 31 others. Although the military later rescued the victims, the incident once again raised troubling questions about the sustainability of reactive security responses.
How long can rescue operations continue to substitute for preventive security? Across vast stretches of ungoverned spaces, non-state actors now operate with near impunity. Nigeria’s expansive terrain, marked by dense forests, rugged mountains, and porous borders—has further strained the capacity of federal security agencies to respond swiftly and effectively.
It is difficult if not possible to find any country anywhere on earth with the size and population of Nigeria operating with a unitary police system like ours. It is defective and ineffective. In fact, it is self-sabotage. In some countries with real federal system, even universities have their own proper and independent policing systems, not a vigilante group, Police Force!
The issue of state and community policing in Nigeria has been in the front burner for decades as part of the general advocacy to return to the true federal structure that worked so well in the first republic. The present administration has taken huge note of this with a firm promise to get it done, and that was one of the reasons unofficially given for the ‘resignation’ of the immediate-past Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.
His successor, Tunji Disu, therefore hit the ground running by sending a comprehensive 75-page memorandum to the National Assembly, outlining a five-year (60-month) roadmap for the phased implementation of state policing in Nigeria.
Breakdown of the Proposed State Police
The proposed framework presents a detailed, multi-layered approach to decentralising policing in Nigeria. Its key highlights include:
• 60-Month Transition Plan: A phased five-year roadmap beginning with constitutional amendments in the first year, followed by gradual institutional rollout and full consolidation by the fifth year.
• Personnel Redistribution: About 60 per cent of existing police personnel are expected to transition to state police services, while 40 per cent will remain under federal control. This will be facilitated through a voluntary transfer programme supported by incentives such as salary enhancements, retraining, and pension continuity.
• Two-Tier Policing System: A Federal Police Service would handle national security concerns such as terrorism and interstate crimes, while State Police Services would focus on local crimes, including armed robbery, homicide, and grassroots intelligence gathering.
• Funding Structure: A constitutionally backed State Police Fund would be created, drawing three per cent from the Federation Account, with states mandated to contribute at least 15 per cent of their security budgets.
• Community Policing Model: States would establish Departments of Community Policing to integrate traditional rulers, youth groups, women, and religious leaders into security management.
• Safeguards Against Political Abuse: Independent State Police Service Commissions would oversee recruitment, promotions, and discipline, while criminal sanctions would apply to unlawful or politically motivated directives.
• Accountability Measures: The proposal includes the deployment of body-worn cameras, State Police Ombudsmen, and public performance dashboards to monitor conduct and efficiency.
• National Oversight Mechanism: A National Police Standards Board would enforce uniform standards, publish compliance rankings, and sanction erring states where necessary.
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• Constitutional Amendments: Proposed changes include amending Section 214 of the Constitution, moving policing to the Concurrent List, and introducing a new Section 214A to institutionalise national oversight.
• Phased Implementation Strategy: A step-by-step process covering legal reforms, personnel transfers, and the gradual withdrawal of federal police from routine local duties.
The Constitutional Hurdle
One of the most significant obstacles to state police is the 1999 Constitution as amended, which vests policing exclusively in the Federal Government. Policing is neither on the Concurrent nor the Residual Legislative Lists, effectively centralising control.
For state police to become a reality, constitutional amendments must transfer policing, at least partially, to the Concurrent List, enabling both federal and state governments to legislate on the matter.
This process is complex and rigorous. It requires approval by two-thirds of both chambers of the National Assembly, the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as ratification by no fewer than 24 State Houses of Assembly. This is followed by harmonisation and presidential assent.
Equally important are public hearings, which will provide a platform for citizens to express concerns, shape the framework, and address fears surrounding decentralised policing in a politically sensitive federation.
Public Sentiment: Between Hope and Hesitation
Public opinion on state police remains mixed, though largely optimistic. Many Nigerians view it as a potential game-changer capable of addressing a significant proportion of the country’s internal security challenges, particularly at the grassroots level.
Security experts argue that state-controlled, community-based policing would enhance intelligence gathering and enable faster response times. Retired officials and policy analysts have long maintained that the current centralised system is overstretched and ill-suited to Nigeria’s size and diversity.
However, concerns persist. Civil society organisations and opposition figures warn that state police could be misused by governors to target political opponents or suppress dissent, especially in a system where institutional safeguards are still evolving.
The proposed five-year timeline has also attracted criticism. With lives being lost daily, many question whether Nigeria can afford such a prolonged transition. As one policy analyst put it, “Security cannot be deferred. The urgency of
now must override bureaucratic timelines.”
Lessons from Other Federations
Experiences from other federal systems offer valuable insights. In the United States, policing is highly decentralised, with local, county, and state agencies operating alongside federal bodies such as the FBI. This structure allows for tailored responses while maintaining national coordination.
Similarly, countries like India and Canada operate decentralised policing systems in which subnational governments exercise significant control. In India, each state maintains its own police force, a model that has proven effective in addressing localised security challenges despite the country’s scale and diversity.
These examples suggest that, with proper regulation, decentralised policing can enhance efficiency, responsiveness, and accountability.
Addressing Core Concerns
The IGP’s proposal attempts to tackle many of the key concerns surrounding state police. Safeguards against abuse include independent commissions, judicial oversight, and provisions for federal intervention in extreme cases.
Funding is addressed through a multi-source model, though doubts remain about the ability of less economically viable states to sustain effective policing systems without compromising standards.
Recruitment and training are also prioritised, with emphasis on merit-based processes and standardised training to ensure professionalism and prevent politicisation.
The Road Ahead
The path from proposal to implementation is long and fraught with political, legal, and administrative challenges. Yet, the urgency of Nigeria’s security crisis demands bold and innovative solutions.
As the National Assembly begins deliberations, its decisions will shape the future of policing in Nigeria for decades. Whether the proposed 60-month framework proves to be a pragmatic roadmap or an overly cautious delay remains to be seen.
What is certain, however, is that the status quo is no longer sustainable. In a nation grappling with widespread insecurity, the question is no longer whether state police is necessary, but how soon it can become a reality.
Kabir Akintayo is a Staff Writer with PRNigeria. He Writes from Abuja, and can be reached via: [email protected]
