Hope rises for creation of state police as IGP submits framework to Senate

By Naomi Sharang

A major step to decentralise policing in the country was taken on Thursday with the submission of a framework for the establishment of state police to the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau by the Inspector -General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Thursday,

Barau chairs the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution.

A statement by Barau’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, on Thursday said the 75-page framework was submitted on behalf of the IGP by Prof. Olu Ogunsakin to the Deputy Senate President in his office at the National Assembly.

Ogunsakin is Chairman of the seven-man committee set up by the inspector-general to examine the modalities for the establishment of state police in Nigeria.

Mudashir said that the document was entitled: ‘A comprehensive framework for the establishment, governance and coordination of Federal and State Police”.

“The framework chronicles the proposed modus operandi of the State Police’.

The IGP said: “The report covers the considered views, professional insights and strategic recommendations of the force.

“Derived from extensive consultations and a careful assessment of the operational, legal and administrative implications of instituting state police in Nigeria.

“It is our expectation that the contents of this report will meaningfully contribute to ongoing deliberations and assist in shaping informed, balanced and pragmatic decisions on this critical aspect of national security architecture.”

He said that the report was forwarded to the Chairman and the Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution, as the Nigeria Police Force’s input on the subject matter.

Responding, Barau commended the IGP for his proactiveness on the establishment of the state police, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda to fully secure the country.

He said that the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, under his chairmanship, would look at the framework along with all other memos submitted to it for the review of the country’s grundnorm.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu had repeatedly reiterated the determination of his administration to create state police as part of the measures to address the country’s insecurity.

Disu had in line with this set up a seven-member committee to oversee the implementation of state police in Nigeria few days after

Speaking during the inauguration, Disu, urged the committee led by a Professor of Police Studies, Olu Ogunsakin to propose an operational framework for the establishment and coordination of state police structures.

The IGP asked the committee to review issues pertaining to training, recruitment, resource allocation, and oversight mechanisms necessary for the state police structures.

Disu said the decentralisation of the police will enable state government and local authorities to respond to specific security challenges within their jurisdictions.

“It is my greatest privilege to formally inaugurate this committee on state policing. The task before this committee is both significant and timely as it speaks to our reflective demand to strengthen Nigeria’s security.

“The committee we are inaugurating today has a critical responsibility. Your work will help shape the framework through which state policing may operate in Nigeria in a manner that strengthens, rather than fragments, our national security system.

“In carrying out this assignment, your deliberations must be guided by professionalism, objectivity, and a clear appreciation of the unique complexities of policing a diverse nation such as ours.

“Among other responsibilities, the Committee is expected to: review existing policing models within and outside Nigeria; assess community security needs and emerging risks across the country; propose an operational framework for the establishment and coordination of State Police structures; address issues relating to recruitment, training, standards, and resource allocation; develop robust accountability and oversight mechanisms to ensure professionalism and public trust.

“If thoughtfully designed and effectively implemented, State Policing holds significant potential benefits for our country.

“By bringing law enforcement closer to communities, state police institutions can deepen local knowledge of security dynamics and enable quicker and more targeted responses to emerging threats,” he said

Other members of the committee were Bode Ojajuni (secretary), Okebechi Agora, Suleyman Gulma, Ikechukwu Okafor, Tolulope Ipinmisho, and Emmanuel Ojukwu.