Abuja, Nigeria – Several sociopolitical groups, civil society organizations, and ex-service men and women have stepped up calls for the implementation of state police in Nigeria, 17 months after President Bola Tinubu first expressed interest in establishing a decentralized police force.
The renewed calls follow President Tinubu’s statement on Tuesday that the Federal Government will hasten the devolution of power to sub-national levels and further equip recently deployed forest guards. Tinubu told a delegation led by Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State that he is reviewing all aspects of security and plans to create a state police.
Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, welcomed Tinubu’s renewed call for state police. The group’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, expressed hope that Tinubu would remove delays clogging the implementation pipeline before the end of 2025.
“We recall that Tinubu has never hidden his desire to have state police. Indeed, going by the posture of Mr. President, one had thought that the scheme would have taken off before now,” Ajayi stated.
The Middle Belt Forum questioned the President’s commitment to tackling insecurity, citing delays despite rising insecurity in the country. The group’s national President, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, expressed concern, noting that the group had constantly advocated state police because it aligns with true federalism.
“We have continually advocated for state police. Our reasons are quite simple: current policing in Nigeria is not in line with true federalism,” Pogu said.
The Pan Niger Delta Forum demanded action, urging the Federal Government to order a constitutional amendment to give effect to state police. The group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini, stated that state police would help curb the upsurge of insecurity.
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, however, argued that state police is not the solution to Nigeria’s security woes. The group’s Publicity Secretary, Oscar Imeabe, criticized the government for not prioritizing its responsibilities.
The Jigawa Next Forum called on the Northern Elders Forum and other influential groups to pressure state governors and the Federal Government over state police. The group’s leader, Habu Isa, expressed frustration over the delay.
A former Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ojukwu, criticized the Federal Government’s handling of the debate on state policing, accusing authorities of indecision and lack of sincerity.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, defended the Tinubu administration over the delays, assuring Nigerians that the initiative remains a top priority in the government’s security reform agenda.
However, the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria branded the creation of state police a “misplaced priority” that would do little to reform the nation’s security architecture. The group’s National President, Isah Abubakar, proposed overhauling and expanding the Nigeria Police Force instead.
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