Amid escalating killings, mass abductions and worsening insecurity nationwide, several state Houses of Assembly have begun considering the creation of state police, a long-debated reform that President Bola Tinubu recently urged the National Assembly to approve through ongoing constitutional amendments.
Nigeria’s overstretched federal security system—fewer than 400,000 police officers for over 200 million people—has left many communities exposed to banditry, terrorism and kidnapping. President Tinubu last week declared a security emergency, ordered fresh recruitment into security agencies, and called for legislation allowing states to form their own police forces.
As the constitutional review moves to the 36 state assemblies, many states are signalling readiness to adopt the reform.
Growing Support Across States
In Plateau, one of the worst-hit states, lawmakers say they are prepared to back state police to stem repeated attacks in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Mangu, Riyom, Wase, Qua’an Pan and Jos South. Speaker Daniel Naalong urged the National Assembly to act quickly, saying the protection of lives outweighs concerns about political misuse.
Sokoto lawmakers also pledged to fast-track any state police bill, citing the success of their Community Guard Corps. Borno’s Assembly said it will begin work once the proposal is formally transmitted.
Kaduna Governor Uba Sani called for immediate adoption of state police, arguing the current centralised system “can no longer secure the country.” Zamfara, the epicentre of banditry, said it would soon send its own state police bill to lawmakers and already operates Community Protection Guards.
Kano’s Assembly will take up the proposal when members resume in mid-December, while Bauchi previously endorsed constitutional amendments supporting state police. Nasarawa officials also said decentralised policing would boost intelligence and response.
Ondo State said it effectively operates a state police model already through its Amotekun Corps and has approved the recruitment of 500 additional personnel. Gombe lawmakers are expected to begin discussions after an upcoming retreat.
National Momentum
Across the country, political leaders increasingly agree that decentralised policing is essential to tackle Nigeria’s growing security crisis—marking the strongest nationwide push yet for the establishment of state police.
