State Police Must Respect Federalism and Citizens’ Rights – NGF

Governors of Nigeria’s 36 states have again called for the establishment of state police, saying the Constitution must back any new policing structure and must protect the rights of citizens.

The governors made their position known after a meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, held in Abuja on Wednesday and early Thursday.

In a communiqué signed by the NGF Chairman and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the governors said the country needs a policing framework that reflects Nigeria’s federal structure and current security realities.

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, read the communiqué.

What the Governors Are Saying

According to the governors, any state police system must be constitutionally sound, respect citizens’ rights, and operate within the principles of federalism.

They said the forum received a presentation from the NGF Secretariat and state Attorneys-General on ongoing consultations around the creation of state police.

The discussions focused on proposed constitutional amendments, legal frameworks, and operational models needed to make state police work across the country.

The governors said the engagement with the Attorneys-General would help states develop a common position as the debate moves forward.

Why State Police Is Back in Focus

The renewed call comes at a time when Nigeria is facing worsening insecurity across different regions.

Banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, communal violence, and rural attacks have continued to put pressure on the country’s centralised policing system.

Many supporters of state police argue that the current federal police structure is overstretched and too distant from many local security problems.

They believe state-controlled policing would allow governments to respond faster to threats, gather local intelligence, and protect communities more effectively.

What You Should Know

The governors had earlier endorsed the development of a state police framework by the NGF Secretariat in April.

That framework is expected to guide discussions ahead of proposed constitutional amendments.

It covers key areas such as governance structure, funding models, recruitment standards, digital systems, and oversight mechanisms.

These issues are important because state police would require clear rules on who controls the officers, how they are funded, how personnel are recruited, and how abuse of power can be prevented.

Constitutional Amendment Remains Key

For state police to become a reality, Nigeria’s Constitution must be amended.

At the moment, policing is largely controlled by the Federal Government. This is why lawmakers are considering changes that would allow states to establish their own police structures.

The push recently received fresh momentum after the House of Representatives approved, for further legislative consideration, bills seeking to amend the Constitution to allow the creation of state police and state security councils.

If passed, the amendments could move Nigeria closer to one of the biggest security reforms since the return to democracy in 1999.