ABUJA — The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has declared that the transition to state policing in Nigeria is now irreversible, signaling a landmark shift in the country’s internal security architecture.
Speaking on Thursday, March 5, during the inauguration of the Police Steering Committee on State Police Implementation at the Force Headquarters, the IGP emphasised that the move is essential to addressing Nigeria’s unique and evolving security challenges.
Transition is Mandated
The inauguration follows months of high-level deliberations between the Federal Government and the National Economic Council (NEC). IGP Disu noted that the committee’s primary mandate is to design a seamless framework that ensures synergy between federal and state forces.
“There is no going back on the issue of state police,” the IGP stated. “Our goal now is to ensure that the implementation is professional, sustainable, and free from political interference. We are building a system that brings policing closer to the people while maintaining national standards.”
Committee Mandate and Composition
The newly formed committee is tasked with several critical responsibilities, including:
- Operational Guidelines: Drafting the rules of engagement for state-controlled units.
- Asset Sharing: Proposing frameworks for the sharing of equipment, barracks, and intelligence databases.
- Recruitment Standards: Ensuring that state police recruitment follows a uniform national vetting process to prevent the infiltration of regional militias.
The committee includes senior police officers, legal experts, and representatives from the Ministry of Police Affairs.
Strategic Shift in Security
The push for state police has gained significant momentum as governors across the federation demand more autonomy to tackle kidnapping and banditry within their borders. While critics have previously raised concerns about the potential for state governors to misuse local police for political purposes, IGP Disu assured that the federal oversight mechanism would remain robust.
“This is not about creating rival forces, but about creating a more efficient, multi-layered security web for every Nigerian,” he added.
Timeline for Rollout
While the IGP did not provide a specific date for the first set of state officers to hit the streets, he indicated that the committee has been given a six-week deadline to submit its final implementation report to the Presidency.
