Former Police Chiefs Raise Concerns Over State Police Framework, Submit Recommendations
Former Inspectors-General of Police have expressed concerns about Nigeria’s proposed state police framework and submitted recommendations aimed at improving the model before it is finalised, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu has disclosed.
Speaking at a workshop organised by the National Institute of Police Studies in Abuja on Thursday, Disu said the retired police chiefs had carefully reviewed the draft framework and contributed ideas that would be considered before the final version is adopted.
According to the IGP, the former police bosses met with him to discuss the proposal and shared their observations based on their years of experience in policing.
“They came to see me, expressed their concerns and made useful contributions. We want to ensure every important detail is captured before the framework is finalised,” he said.
Disu revealed that the committee responsible for developing the framework completed its work within 17 days, despite starting after state governors had already begun preparing their own proposals.
“We started late, but we caught up. The document currently being discussed is largely based on our work, although a few finishing touches are still needed,” he explained.
He added that the committee studied policing systems in countries such as India, the United States and Pakistan, where sub-national police structures already exist, to guide its recommendations.
The IGP also encouraged senior police officers to understand the proposed reforms and help educate other officers about the concept of state policing.
“There are fears and misconceptions about state police. It is our responsibility to explain what it truly means and how it is expected to work,” he said.
The push for state police has gained momentum as many Nigerians believe it could improve security by allowing law enforcement to respond more effectively to local challenges. However, critics have continued to warn that governors could abuse the system for political purposes.
President Bola Tinubu has repeatedly backed the creation of state police, describing it as a key part of his administration’s security reform agenda.
At the National Dialogue on State Policing in 2024, Tinubu said state policing could mark a major step in making law enforcement more responsive to the unique security needs of different states.
Nigeria continues to battle multiple security threats, while the police remain overstretched due to inadequate manpower and equipment. This has forced the military to take on internal security duties that would ordinarily fall under the police.
Although Disu did not identify the retired police chiefs who recently met with him or disclose the specific concerns they raised, several former IGPs have publicly opposed the idea of state police in the past.
Former IGP Kayode Egbetokun had argued that Nigeria was not yet ready for state policing, warning that governors could use state-controlled police forces to intimidate political opponents and interfere with democratic processes.
He also expressed concerns over possible jurisdictional conflicts between federal and state police authorities.
Earlier, in 2012, nine retired Inspectors-General of Police advised former President Goodluck Jonathan against creating state police, arguing that strengthening the intelligence and investigative units of the Nigeria Police Force would be a more effective solution to the country’s security challenges.
Meanwhile, the federal government has already outlined a roadmap for introducing state police, including consultations and calls for public memoranda.
A comprehensive 75-page framework prepared by an eight-member committee chaired by Professor Olu Ogunsakin has been submitted to the Senate Committee reviewing the 1999 Constitution.
The National Assembly has also passed constitutional amendment bills to establish a dual federal and state policing system. However, the proposal must still be harmonised, approved by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly and signed by President Tinubu before it can become law.
Under the proposed framework, state police commands would operate alongside the Nigeria Police Force under the supervision of an expanded National Police Council, while independent state police service commissions would oversee recruitment, promotions and discipline.
