16 states submit reports on state police to NEC

Sixteen of Nigeria’s 36 states have submitted reports on the proposed establishment of state police.

This comes weeks after the Federal and State Governments, on February 16, 2024, resolved to develop modalities to create state police to tackle the country’s security crisis.

The nation has been under the waves of abductions, attacks by suspected bandits and other violent crimes, reviving calls for the establishment of a multi-level policing system, including state police.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communication, Stanley Nkwocha, in a statement on Thursday said discussions around the state police was held at a meeting of the National Economic Council.

Nkwocha, in the statement said, “Secretary to NEC (Mr Nebeolisa Anako) made a presentation on submissions by states on the state policing initiative.

“Reports have been received by 16 states on the establishment of state police

“20 states are yet to send in report. All states across the country expressed their support for the establishment of state police for the following reasons.”

However, no details were given about the specific states.

The Vice President’s spokesperson had affirmed that the total number will be presented at the next NEC meeting even as “the compilation is still going on”.

On February 20, 2024, a bill proposing the creation of state police successfully passed the second reading at the House of Representatives.

The legislation titled, ‘A bill for an Act to alter the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to provide for the establishment of State Police and related matters,’ was slated for a second reading before the end of this week.

Backed by 13 House members, the bill gained the majority’s favour in the Green Chamber, with many lawmakers arguing that the security challenges take preeminence over concerns about political victimisation by state governors.

The debate for creating state police in Nigeria primarily stems from the centralised nature of the Nigerian Police Force, which many security pundits perceive as inadequate for addressing the unique security challenges across the country’s diverse regions.

Proponents argue that the outfit would bring law enforcement closer to the communities they serve, enhance the effectiveness of policing, and allow for more localised control over security matters.

However, opponents fear that state police could lead to the abuse of power, particularly in states with strong political control, potentially exacerbating regional tensions and undermining national unity.