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There is a growing call for the creation of state police in Nigeria due to the rising insecurity across the country.
However, President Bola Tinubu has not taken a clear position on the issue. The demand for state police is seen as a political landmine, as members of the National Assembly fear that governors could abuse their power if given control over the police.
In 2022, the National Assembly rejected a bill seeking to amend the constitution to allow state police, despite the insistence of the governors. The Nigerian Labour Congress and Nigerian Union of Teachers also opposed the creation of state police, citing concerns over the ability of governors to pay salaries of civil servants.
Amidst the ongoing conversation on state police, some governors have taken matters into their own hands and created their own security outfits. The Southwest created Amotekun, while the Southeast governors created Ebubeagu. These initiatives have received mixed reactions, with Amotekun gaining commendations and Ebubeagu facing allegations of abuse.
President Tinubu’s position on state police is unclear. During a dialogue series in 2022, he stated that he would work with the National Assembly on state police. However, his manifesto, the Renewed Hope Agenda, did not contain a clear position on the issue. President Tinubu has also not sent an executive bill on security to the National Assembly, and promised police reforms are yet to be carried out.
Governors in Nigeria currently have little power over security in their states, as the commissioners of police are not obligated to comply with their directives. This has led to calls for the establishment of state police forces to decentralize policing and address local needs.
Bello El-Rufai, a lawmaker representing Kaduna North, has introduced the State Police Bill to amend the constitution. He argues that state police is the only viable means to address insecurity. However, concerns remain over potential abuse by governors and the ability to pay salaries of state police personnel. Experts believe that the issue of state police is a slippery slope, but argue that tough decisions must be made to address the growing insecurity in the country.
