State Police Initiative Accelerates with High-Level Legislative Engagement
The drive to establish state police in Nigeria has gained significant momentum, as Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, engaged with a steering committee tasked with designing a roadmap for this decentralised security framework. During a meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, Barau assured that citizens' concerns would be integral to shaping the final structure, highlighting the need for strong accountability measures to build public trust.
Committee Mandate and Legislative Collaboration
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) committee, inaugurated on March 4, 2026, by Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, is led by Chairman Olu Ogunsakin. The delegation briefed Barau on its mandate to develop a nationwide structure for state policing and sought legislative collaboration to strengthen its recommendations. Barau, who also heads the Senate Committee reviewing the 1999 Constitution, emphasized that the success of state policing hinges on addressing reservations expressed by Nigerians during recent constitutional amendment hearings.
"We must create a structure that guarantees safety while addressing the fears raised by citizens," Barau stated, adding that public enlightenment will be critical for the reform's acceptance. He commended the police leadership for aligning the initiative with President Bola Tinubu's broader security agenda.
Benue Governor's Full Support and Operational Control
In a parallel development, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia declared full support for state police, stressing that governors must have operational control of security structures to effectively safeguard their states. Represented by his deputy, Sam Ode, during the flag-off of a six-day training for 300 personnel of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards (BSCPGs), Alia described state policing as "an idea whose time has come."
The governor dismissed concerns that state police could be misused for political purposes, assuring that proper legal safeguards would prevent abuse. "The move aligns with efforts by President Tinubu to establish a legal framework for decentralised policing," Alia noted, describing it as a necessary devolution of powers in a federal system.
Training and Capacity Building Initiatives
The training exercise, organised by The Kukah Centre in collaboration with the Benue State government, was held at the Firing Range in Ikpayongo, Gwer East Local Council. Special Adviser to the Governor on Security and Internal Affairs, Joseph Har, disclosed that the state has already trained 5,000 personnel, positioning Benue as a frontrunner in community-based security. "We are a federating nation, and federating units should have self-determination on security," Har emphasized.
Project Manager at The Kukah Centre, Terseer Bamber, added that the training aims to strengthen operational capacity and ensure personnel act within constitutional limits. "At the end of the exercise, we expect a more resilient force capable of supporting conventional security agencies," Bamber stated.
Broader Context and Future Prospects
This latest engagement signals increasing coordination between the legislature and law enforcement authorities as Nigeria explores decentralised policing as a potential solution to persistent security challenges. The Senate committee had earlier held zonal public hearings across the six geopolitical zones, drawing input from a wide range of stakeholders to inform the constitutional reforms paving the way for state police implementation.
With ongoing discussions and training programs, the push for state police continues to evolve, focusing on creating a balanced system that enhances security while preventing abuse and inspiring public confidence in Nigeria's federating structure.
