Senator Rufai Sani Hanga, the Deputy Minority Whip in the Senate, has strongly opposed the growing calls by state governors for the establishment of state police forces in Nigeria. The lawmaker, who is the sole representative of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) in the Senate, also criticized the recent directive from President Bola Tinubu to withdraw police officers from Very Important Personalities (VIPs), labeling the move as ill-advised.
Why State Police is a Recipe for Disaster, According to Hanga
Speaking during an interactive session with journalists on Monday, December 8, 2025, the senator representing Kano Central argued that creating state police would complicate Nigeria's internal security rather than solve it. He warned of three major pitfalls: inter-agency rivalry, financial unsustainability, and political interference.
Hanga painted a vivid picture of potential chaos, using the ongoing Kano emirate tussle as a case study. He noted that one emir is backed by the state government while the other enjoys federal security protection. "You think there wouldn't be a civil war in Kano if there were state police?" he questioned, suggesting that state police could become a tool for local political conflicts against federal interests.
On financing, the senator was blunt. He pointed out that existing federal security agencies, including the army, consistently complain about poor salaries and allowances. "If we create a state police, train them and arm them, how do we pay them?" Hanga asked. He warned that creating a force without a guaranteed funding plan was tantamount to "creating a monster" that would eventually prey on citizens to sustain itself.
VIP Protection Withdrawal Leaves Politicians Vulnerable
Shifting focus to the presidential order on VIP security, Senator Hanga expressed deep concern. He argued that stripping politically exposed persons of police protection would make them vulnerable to physical assaults and security threats, which he claimed are frequent occurrences.
The senator challenged the rationale behind the order by asking how many ministers and foreign dignitaries move around without substantial police escorts for their personal safety. He implied that the policy was inconsistent and dangerous for the class of people it targeted.
National Assembly Scrutinizing Agitations
Hanga confirmed that the National Assembly is conducting a critical legislative review of the widespread demands for state police. His comments provide a preview of the intense debates likely to occur in the parliament, highlighting the deep divisions on how best to tackle Nigeria's pervasive insecurity.
The senator's firm stance underscores a significant school of thought within Nigeria's political elite that views decentralizing police power as a step toward anarchy, especially in a context of financial strain and intense political competition.
