ABUJA — The clamour for state police gained renewed momentum on Thursday as senior officials, governors, lawmakers, security experts and international stakeholders converged for meeting on State Police and National Security. Participants agreed that Nigeria’s worsening insecurity demanded a decentralised security system backed by strong legal safeguards, sustainable funding, community participation and improved intelligence gathering. The event came after President Tinubu inaugurated the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, following the Senate’s passage of the Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill, 2026.
Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa argued that defeating terrorism requires both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies: “No country can shoot itself to peace. The kinetic aspect is based about 25, 30%. The non kinetic, which has to do with dialogue, discussion, understanding, you must bring them working together.” Musa cited Turkey’s 40-year campaign against the PKK as an example, noting: “These terrorists live within the communities. If the communities are on their side, it makes it difficult for security forces to win the battle.”
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak backed Nigeria’s push, saying decentralised policing would improve internal security if backed by strong legislation. “The worry that someone might try to use state police for his own political ambitions is a real issue and should be addressed,” Barak acknowledged. “But it’s much easier to correct this element than to activate through a vast country like Nigeria from a central place.” Barak argued that officers recruited from communities would be “much more sensitive” and understand local norms, adding: “Response is much faster when you’re talking about the state police.” However, he cautioned that signal intelligence should remain under federal control: “If the capabilities of signal intelligence ended up in the hands of the wrong person, they can cause huge damage.”
Anambra Governor Chukwuma Soludo said: “The issue is no longer whether or not to have state police. We have gone beyond that. The issue now is how.” Enugu Governor Peter Mbah argued: “The current model has not kept pace with the security threats we face today. The debate is settled. What we should be talking about is how do we measure? How do we implement?” Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal, recounting his brothers’ kidnapping in 2019, declared: “I will not negotiate, and I will not pay ransom to any criminal, no matter what happens.” He questioned: “Why is it difficult for people to understand that my primary responsibility is the protection of lives and property, and I don’t have that control? How do you hold me accountable?”
Senator Adams Oshiomhole argued: “There is an inherent contradiction. I am called the chief security officer, but I have no control over the police. It is like calling me a husband when I have no wife.” He added: “I spent much more procuring vehicles and communication gadgets for the police than what the federal government provided. Unfortunately, when those assets are misused or stolen, I have no legal authority beyond asking questions.” Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele cautioned: “If the state police is not well funded, it may as well be a highway to nowhere. It’s not only state actors or politicians that can abuse this. Business class, criminals can abuse it, because he who pays the piper dictates the tune.” Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan warned: “State police should never become an instrument of political oppression or executive intimidation. We must build a policing system that serves the people, protects democracy and remains accountable to the rule of law.”
The Social Democratic Party criticized Tinubu’s decision to appoint Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila to chair the working group amid PFIPC allegations. SDP Chairman Prof. Sadiq Gombe stated: “Gbajabiamila needs to step aside, not just as chairman of this important committee, but also his position as Chief of Staff to the President. The right thing to do is for him to step aside for a proper independent probe.” He also alleged regional imbalance in the committee’s composition, claiming nine of 12 members came from one part of the country.