Supporters of President Bola Tinubu have praised his renewed commitment to establishing state-level policing, describing it as the “panacea” for Nigeria’s long-standing security challenges.
The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) issued a statement this week affirming that the President’s recent discussions with state governors prove he is determined to institutionalise a decentralized security architecture, despite a complex legislative process. The move marks a significant policy shift from his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, who had resisted the idea over concerns that state governors might misuse local police forces for political ends.
A ‘bottom-up’ approach
Currently, Nigeria operates a single, federal police force managed from the capital, Abuja. Critics have long argued that this centralized system is stretched too thin to effectively combat kidnapping, banditry, and communal clashes across the country’s 36 states. According to the TMSG, the President’s proposal represents a “whole-of-government” approach to safety.
Local Ownership: Empowering states to manage security within their own borders.
Community Integration: Ensuring policing is handled by those familiar with local terrain and social dynamics.
Jurisdictional Balance: The federal police would retain control over national security, terrorism, and inter-state crimes.
Safeguards against abuse
To address fears of political victimization by governors, the group noted that the National Assembly is building “safeguards” into the ongoing constitutional amendment. Central to these protections is a proposed National Police Council.
This body would:
Provide strict guidelines for the establishment of state forces, oversee state police conduct and operations, hold the power to recommend the removal of local police chiefs where necessary.
The legislative hurdle
While the President appears keen to move forward, the path to implementation remains long. Any change to the policing system requires an amendment to the Nigerian Constitution.”Like all Nigerians, we are eagerly looking forward to the National Assembly completing work,” the TMSG stated, while urging lawmakers to expedite the process. Once passed at the federal level, the bill must still be approved by two-thirds of Nigeria’s state houses of assembly.
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