The push for the establishment of state police in Nigeria has entered a crucial phase, with discussions now focused on the constitutional amendments required to bring the proposal into reality.
Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed this on Thursday after a high-level consultative meeting on state policing convened by the Presidency.
Addressing State House correspondents, Gbajabiamila said stakeholders have moved beyond preliminary debates and are now examining the legal and constitutional framework needed to create state police across the federation.
According to him, the proposal has recorded significant progress as government officials, lawmakers, and other stakeholders intensify efforts to address longstanding concerns over security and policing at the sub-national level.
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives noted that the constitutional amendment stage is a critical step in the process, as the current legal framework places policing under the exclusive control of the Federal Government.
The renewed push for state police comes amid growing calls from governors, traditional rulers, security experts, and civil society groups for a decentralized policing structure capable of addressing local security challenges more effectively.
Supporters of the initiative argue that state police would enhance intelligence gathering, improve rapid response to crimes, and strengthen community-based security efforts across the country.
However, the proposal has also generated debate, with critics warning that state-controlled police forces could be vulnerable to political interference and abuse by state governments.
Despite these concerns, the Tinubu administration appears determined to continue consultations aimed at building consensus on the issue.
Gbajabiamila’s remarks suggest that the Federal Government is taking concrete steps toward implementing one of the most far-reaching security reforms proposed in recent years.
If approved through constitutional amendments and legislative processes, state police would mark a major shift in Nigeria’s security architecture, potentially redefining how law enforcement is administered across the federation.
The outcome of the ongoing consultations is expected to shape the future of policing and internal security as the country grapples with diverse security challenges across its regions.
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