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 law enforcement in Nigeria. The committee recommended that at least 60% of Nigerian Police officers be deployed to state police services. This recommendation has sparked mixed reactions among security experts and stakeholders.
Nigeria currently has a police force of about 370,000 officers, which equates to one officer per 600 citizens. This is far below the United Nations-recommended ratio of one officer to 450 citizens. If the committee’s proposal is adopted, approximately 222,000 officers would be moved to state police services.
The seven-member steering committee, which submitted its report to the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, outlined a comprehensive framework titled ‘A comprehensive framework for the establishment, governance and coordination of federal and state police.’ The report was presented by Professor Olu Ogunsakin, the chairman of the committee.
One of the key recommendations in the report is the creation of a two-tier policing architecture, consisting of a Federal Police Service (FPS) and 37 State Police Services (SPS). The FPS would focus on national security, terrorism, interstate crime, and federal law enforcement, while the SPS would handle local criminal offenses, domestic violence, homicide, armed robbery, and community policing.
According to the framework, the FPS would retain about 40% of officers for national roles, with the remaining 60% redeployed to state police services. A Voluntary Transfer Programme (VTP) would allow federal police officers to transfer to their home-state or preferred State Police Service. The program includes a three-month salary Transfer Facilitation Grant, a transition training programme, and a guaranteed Pension Continuity certificate.
Key Recommendations and Structural Changes
The report also recommends the establishment of a National Police Standards Board (NPSB), an independent 13-member federal board responsible for setting minimum national standards across all police services. The NPSB will monitor and enforce these standards, publishing annual compliance ratings for every state service.
Community policing is emphasized as a central component of the state police model. Every State Police Service must maintain a dedicated Department of Community Policing, with Community Policing Forums established at every Local Government Area. These forums will include police officers, traditional leaders, women’s groups, youth organizations, and religious leaders. Community Liaison Officers will be assigned to specific communities, expected to speak local languages and be evaluated based on community forum ratings.
The framework proposes amendments to Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution and the Second Schedule to allow SPS to co-exist with the FPS. A new Section 214A would constitutionally establish the NPSB.
To address concerns about state police being weaponized by governors, the report recommends constitutional prohibitions on partisan deployment, independent State Police Service Commissions, criminal sanctions for unlawful orders, and a Federal High Court fast-track review of politically-motivated deployments.
Oversight and Funding Mechanisms
Oversight mechanisms are layered to prevent capture by any single political interest. These include State Police Service Commissions, State Police Ombudsmen, NPSB inspections, State House of Assembly standing committees, mandatory Body-Worn Cameras with secure cloud storage, and public performance dashboards showing use-of-force statistics and community satisfaction data.
Funding for state police will be managed through a constitutionally-backed State Police Fund (SPF). This fund will receive a 3% statutory federal allocation from the Federation Account, distributed by population, land area, security need, and fiscal capacity, along with a minimum of 15% contribution from each state government’s security budget.
The implementation of state police is planned over 60 months, with the first 12 months focused on 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 over the next 18 months. The final 18 months will be dedicated to full consolidation and legislative review.
Divergent Expert Opinions
Security experts have expressed differing opinions on the report. Mike Ejiofor, a security consultant and former Director of the Department of State Services, criticized the integration of 60% of the Nigeria Police into state police, suggesting that state police should have their own newly recruited personnel. He also questioned the exemption of state police from fighting terrorism and banditry, emphasizing that they should handle such issues alongside the federal police.
Dr. Ndu Nwokolo, a managing partner at Nextier SPD, believes the NPSB could enhance public confidence by addressing concerns around political abuse of the state policing system. Similarly, Senator Iroegbu noted that the impact of the NPSB depends on whether it is advisory or supervisory, highlighting the need for clarity on its mandate.
Dr. Kabiru Adamu, Managing Director of Beacon Consults, pointed out critical gaps in the framework, including fiscal disparities between states and the lack of unified national standards for training and use-of-force protocols. He warned that without resolving these flaws, the transition to state policing might simply decentralize current challenges rather than create a safer nation.
Legislative Efforts and Accountability
Meanwhile, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, stated that the National Assembly is working on a decentralised police model anchored on accountability. He emphasized the importance of preventing the abuse of power by the political class and ensuring effective governance even in remote areas.
Bamidele commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his efforts to address insecurity in the country, noting that the new police framework under consideration will incorporate accountability mechanisms to protect fundamental human rights.
