The Proposed Framework for State Police in Nigeria
The committee on the framework for the establishment of state police, set up by the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has proposed a significant shift in the structure of Nigerian law enforcement. One of the key recommendations is the deployment of at least 60% of Nigerian Police officers to state police services. This move aims to address long-standing issues of police inefficiency and lack of community engagement.
However, security experts have expressed mixed reactions to this recommendation and other proposals outlined in the report. With a population of approximately 200 million, Nigeria currently has a police strength of about 370,000 officers, which equates to one officer per 600 citizens. This falls far below the United Nations-recommended ratio of one police officer to 450 citizens. If the committee’s recommendation is adopted, around 222,000 police officers would be redeployed to state police services.
The seven-man steering committee, established by the Force, submitted its report to the Senate committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution, chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin. The report, titled “A comprehensive framework for the establishment, governance and coordination of federal and state police,” was presented by Professor Olu Ogunsakin, the chairman of the committee.
Key Recommendations from the Report
One of the main proposals is the creation of a two-tier policing architecture, consisting of a Federal Police Service (FPS) and 37 State Police Services (SPS) across the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. The FPS will focus on national security, terrorism, interstate crime, and federal law enforcement, while the SPS will handle local criminal offenses, domestic violence, homicide, armed robbery, and community policing.
The framework suggests that the FPS will retain about 40% of officers for national roles, with the remaining 60% redeployed to state police services. A Voluntary Transfer Programme (VTP) will allow federal police officers to transfer to their home-state or preferred State Police Service. Officers can opt to transfer to their home-state or preferred State Police Service, with a three-month salary Transfer Facilitation Grant, a transition training programme, and a guaranteed Pension Continuity certificate.
Institutional Reforms and Oversight Mechanisms
The report also recommends the establishment of a National Police Standards Board (NPSB), an independent 13-member federal board that will set minimum national standards for recruitment, training, conduct, accountability, and funding across all police services. The board will monitor and enforce these standards and publish annual compliance ratings for every state service.
Community policing is placed at the philosophical and operational heart of the state police model, recognizing the erosion of trust between Nigerian communities and the police as a fundamental operational liability. Every State Police Service must maintain a dedicated Department of Community Policing, with Community Policing Forums established at every Local Government Area, comprising police officers, traditional leaders, women’s groups, youth organizations, and religious leaders.
Constitutional Amendments and Funding
The establishment of state police requires amendments to Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution and the Second Schedule to allow SPS to co-exist with the FPS and move the former from the Exclusive List to the Concurrent Legislative List. A new Section 214A would constitutionally establish a National Police Standards Board.
To prevent the weaponization of state police by governors, the report recommends constitutional prohibitions on partisan deployment, independent State Police Service Commissions insulated from executive interference, criminal sanctions for officials who issue unlawful orders, and a Federal High Court fast-track review of politically-motivated deployments.
Dedicated funding through a constitutionally-backed State Police Fund (SPF) will receive a 3% statutory federal allocation from the Federation Account distributed by population, land area, security need, and fiscal capacity, as well as a minimum of 15% contribution from each state government’s security budget.
Implementation Timeline and Security Expert Opinions
The document outlines a 60-month phased implementation of the state police, with the first 12 months scheduled for constitutional and legal foundations. The next 12 months will involve the establishment of state services and VTP launches, followed by initial operations and FPS withdrawal from local policing. The final 18 months will focus on full consolidation with an independent evaluation and legislative review.
Security experts have differing opinions on the report. Some argue that state police should operate independently rather than sharing 60% of the workforce. Others believe the NPSB could enhance public confidence by addressing concerns around political abuse of the state policing system.
The Role of the National Assembly
Meanwhile, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has emphasized the National Assembly’s commitment to crafting a framework for a decentralized police model that serves the interests of all, regardless of status. He highlighted the importance of accountability mechanisms to prevent the abuse of power by the political class and ensure effective governance even in the remotest parts of the country.
