A United States lawmaker, Riley Moore, has called for the decentralisation of Nigeria’s policing system, arguing that state governments should be empowered to tackle the country’s worsening security challenges, particularly in the Middle Belt.
Moore, who represents West Virginia’s Second District, expressed concern over ongoing violence, stating that Christians in Nigeria continue to face deadly attacks. He urged the Federal Government to take stronger action, insisting that authorities in Abuja must do more to protect citizens.
He also pushed for structural reforms, saying it is “past time” to decentralise police authority so that state governments can respond more effectively to local threats and improve security outcomes.
His comments add to growing international attention on Nigeria’s security situation and ongoing discussions around state policing.
The call aligns with recent moves by the Nigerian government to explore the creation of state police. Earlier in March, Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, inaugurated an eight-member committee to develop a framework for implementing state policing. The committee, chaired by Prof. Olu Ogunsakin, is expected to coordinate the rollout of reforms aimed at improving intelligence gathering and rapid response to security threats.
President Bola Tinubu has also backed the proposal, urging the National Assembly to begin the process of amending the Constitution to accommodate state police. He described decentralised policing as a critical step toward reclaiming ungoverned spaces and tackling terrorism across the country.
The push for state police comes at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with widespread insecurity, with many stakeholders arguing that a centralised policing system is no longer sufficient to address localised threats.
