President Bola Tinubu has appealed to the leadership of the 10th Senate of Nigeria to consider amending the Constitution to allow for the establishment of State Police, describing it as a crucial step in tackling the nation’s evolving security challenges.
The president made the call on Wednesday during an interfaith breakfast with senators at the Presidential Villa, according to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga.
Tinubu emphasised that decentralised policing would enhance security at the grassroots level and improve rapid response to threats in individual states. “We are facing terrorism, banditry and insurgency. But we will never fail to make the right response,” he said.
The president’s appeal reflects growing concerns over persistent insecurity across Nigeria and highlights the need for structural reforms in law enforcement to address localised crime and insurgent activities more effectively.
He urged senators to take legislative action to ensure that states can have their own policing structures, saying it would complement existing federal security agencies and empower state governments to respond promptly to emerging threats.
The proposal for State Police has been a recurring topic in national discourse, with proponents arguing that it would bring policing closer to communities, while critics caution about potential misuse if not properly regulated.
Tinubu’s remarks signal the federal government’s renewed push to revisit the matter and seek constitutional backing to implement a system of decentralised policing across Nigeria.
