Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
THE Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has formally inaugurated a committee to explore the feasibility of State Policing, describing the move as a crucial step toward reinforcing Nigeria’s internal security framework.
Speaking on Wednesday at the Peace Keeping Hall, Force Headquarters in Abuja, the IGP emphasised the weight of the task now before the panel, noting that its work comes at a pivotal moment for the nation.
“The assignment before this committee is both significant and timely. It speaks directly to our collective resolve to strengthen Nigeria’s internal security mechanisms and ensure policing remains attuned to the realities of our communities,” Disu stated.
Acknowledging the mounting and evolving security threats across the country, the IGP stressed the need for innovative strategies, cross-sector collaboration, and bold reform.
“Across the nation, we continue to confront shifting security challenges that demand fresh thinking. The concept of State Police is being carefully examined as part of broader national efforts to improve security governance, bring policing closer to the people, and deepen community participation in crime prevention,” he said.
The committee, he added, carries a critical responsibility: shaping the framework within which State Policing might function should it be adopted without undermining the integrity of the national security architecture.
“Your deliberations must be guided by professionalism, objectivity, and a clear appreciation of the unique complexities of policing a diverse nation like ours,” he charged the members.
Key terms of reference for the committee include reviewing existing policing models within and outside Nigeria, assessing community security needs and emerging risks nationwide, proposing an operational framework for the creation and coordination of State Police structures, addressing issues of recruitment, training, standards, and resource allocation, and developing robust oversight and accountability mechanisms to ensure professionalism and public trust.
The IGP highlighted the potential benefits of a well-implemented State Policing system, noting that it could enhance responsiveness and local intelligence.
“By embedding law enforcement within communities, State Police institutions can deepen understanding of local security dynamics and facilitate swifter, more targeted responses to threats,” he said.
He added that such a structure could also rebuild public confidence in law enforcement by fostering stronger ties between officers and the communities they serve, while improving intelligence gathering through familiarity with local languages, cultures, and social structures.
Decentralisation, he argued, would allow for more efficient use of resources, with state and local authorities better positioned to address specific challenges within their jurisdictions, while the Federal Government focuses on broader national threats.
Beyond security, the IGP noted the reform could spur economic and social development, creating thousands of jobs for young Nigerians.
However, he was quick to clarify that the proposed system is not intended to replace or diminish the Nigeria Police Force.
“This should not be misunderstood as a substitute for the NPF. Rather, it is a complementary structure within a coordinated national security framework,” Disu explained.
The Nigeria Police Force, he reaffirmed, would retain its constitutional role as the primary national law enforcement agency, focusing on complex and transnational crimes such as terrorism, organised crime, cybercrime, and trafficking, offences that demand national coordination and specialised capacity.
