Five state governments have signalled their readiness to transform their existing security outfits into state police once the constitutional process establishing the new policing system is completed.
The move comes after the House of Representatives passed the Executive Bill seeking the creation of state police, marking a major step toward decentralising policing across the country.
Ondo, Kaduna, Anambra, Zamfara and Abia states have all indicated that they plan to build their state police structures around existing security agencies rather than establishing entirely new organisations.
According to the affected states, the existing outfits already have trained personnel, operational structures, intelligence networks and a strong understanding of local security challenges, making them suitable foundations for the proposed state police.
Officials also believe that relying on current security agencies will reduce costs, speed up implementation and eliminate the need to build institutions from the ground up.
In Ondo State, the government said the Amotekun Corps already possesses the personnel, experience and institutional framework needed to transition into a state police force when the legal framework is in place.
Kaduna State also expressed its intention to use the Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KADVIS) as the foundation for state policing, noting that the outfit is undergoing training and operational improvements in preparation for the new system.
Similarly, the Zamfara State Government said it would convert the Civilian Protection Guards into state police, citing the agency’s experience in tackling insecurity across the state.
In Anambra, the government said its Agunechemba security outfit would be restructured to align with the responsibilities of state police, adding that the state’s Homeland Security Law already shares similarities with the proposed policing model.
Abia State also revealed plans to integrate its Homeland Security outfit and community vigilante groups into the proposed state police structure once the legal framework is finalised.
Meanwhile, several other states, including Bayelsa, Yobe, Imo, Benue, Kebbi, Sokoto, Ogun and Ekiti, said they would wait for the constitutional amendment process to be completed before deciding whether to adopt existing security outfits or establish new structures.
These states maintained that any decision would depend on the final provisions of the law, presidential assent and implementation guidelines.
Delta State, however, has taken a different approach by announcing plans to establish an entirely new state police structure rather than converting existing vigilante groups. The government disclosed that it has approved the construction of police headquarters across all 25 local government areas in preparation for the new policing system.
