President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on the Senate to commence the process of amending the 1999 Constitution to allow for the creation of state police across Nigeria. The appeal is part of his administration’s broader push for security reforms and more decentralised law enforcement structures.
Titansloaded report that President Tinubu made the call during a high-level meeting with Senate members, stressing that a state policing system would complement the existing federal framework and enhance grassroots intelligence gathering. He noted that the Nigeria Police Force is currently overstretched, particularly in addressing localized security challenges.
“Amending the constitution to enable states to establish their own police forces will strengthen internal security, improve public trust, and promote community-based crime prevention,” Tinubu said. He emphasised that state police would not replace the federal system but serve as a strategic support to ensure quicker and more effective responses to crime.
The President highlighted that the conversation around state policing has been ongoing among Nigerians and security stakeholders for decades. He urged lawmakers to treat the proposed constitutional amendment with urgency, pointing out that the legal framework is critical for the proper implementation of state police forces.
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Security experts have long argued that decentralising policing authority could lead to faster response times, better intelligence gathering at the community level, and stronger accountability mechanisms. Tinubu’s proposal aligns with these arguments, aiming to reduce the burden on federal security agencies while empowering state governments to take more proactive roles in public safety.
However, the proposal has attracted mixed reactions. While many welcome the potential for improved security, some stakeholders caution against the political misuse of state police forces. Tinubu addressed these concerns, emphasising that proper legislative oversight and constitutional safeguards would be critical to ensuring state police serve public interests rather than partisan objectives.
The President’s remarks come amid heightened national debates on security reform, as Nigeria grapples with rising crime rates, insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, and urban violence across several states. Policymakers continue to explore options to strengthen law enforcement, enhance community safety, and rebuild public confidence in the policing system.
With the call for constitutional amendment, Tinubu urges state police creation as a key component of Nigeria’s security architecture reform. Lawmakers are expected to deliberate on the proposal, balancing the need for improved security with constitutional safeguards and governance standards.
