ABUJA, Nigeria – In his first major move since assuming command, the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has inaugurated an eight-member committee to spearhead the implementation of state police across Nigeria.
The committee, chaired by Professor Olu Ogunsakin, a renowned expert in police studies, was officially commissioned on Wednesday during the IGP’s maiden meeting with senior officers at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. The development marks a decisive step toward the decentralisation of Nigeria’s security architecture, a move long debated by policymakers and regional leaders.
a mandate for reform
The inauguration of the Ogunsakin-led panel follows the recent ratification of Tunji Disu as the nation’s 23rd indigenous Inspector-General. Addressing the committee and top brass of the Force, IGP Disu emphasised that the shift toward state-level policing is aimed at enhancing local intelligence and responsiveness to unique security threats across the federation.
“This is a significant and timely task,” Disu stated during the ceremony. “Leadership is not merely about position, but about the responsibility we owe to the Nigerian people. This committee is tasked with providing a practical, professional roadmap for a transition that ensures every Nigerian is treated with dignity and justice.”
committee composition and timeline
The high-level panel consists of seasoned academics and retired senior officers, including CP Emmanuel Ojukwu (Rtd), CP Bode Ojajuni, and DCP Okebuchi Ogora. The committee has been given a four-week deadline to submit a comprehensive report detailing the structural and operational requirements for the rollout.
The Inspector-General further noted that the implementation would coincide with a broader “policing vision” focused on accountability. He announced plans to empower internal oversight units, such as the Public Complaint Unit and the X-Squad, to operate with greater independence to curb cases of professional misconduct.
shifting security landscape
The move aligns with the federal government’s recent signals toward a multi-layered policing system. Advocates for state police argue that the current centralised structure has struggled to contain the rising tide of banditry and kidnapping in rural communities.
By appointing a specialist like Professor Ogunsakin to lead the transition, the IGP appears to be leaning into a research-driven approach to reform. “Our guiding principles will be professionalism and a strict adherence to human rights,” Disu added. “The era of slogans is over; we are moving toward a force that is accountable to the citizens it serves.”
The committee is expected to begin consultations with state governors and regional security stakeholders immediately.
