Nigeria’s Governors Push for Constitutional Control Over State Police

State governors are intensifying their push for constitutional authority to manage security within their borders, aiming to establish a decentralized policing system to combat the nation’s escalating security threats.

Following a high-level strategic meeting in Abuja, state officials, legal experts, and security chiefs have outlined a comprehensive framework for the creation of State Police Services. This proposal, which seeks to overhaul Nigeria’s security architecture, arrives as federal law enforcement continues to struggle against a rising tide of terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, and communal violence.

A Dual-Policing Model

The proposed structure advocates for “cooperative federalism,” which would clearly delineate the responsibilities between federal and state agencies. Under this model:

Federal Police: Would retain exclusive jurisdiction over national security concerns, including terrorism, treason, narcotics trafficking, and interstate criminal activities.

State Police: Would be empowered to handle local law enforcement, including the prevention and investigation of offenses established under state laws.

Governance and Funding

To address long-standing concerns regarding potential political abuse and operational viability, the governors’ report emphasizes strict oversight and financial sustainability.

Key recommendations include:

Guaranteed Funding: Officials are calling for constitutional provisions to ensure stable, non-discretionary funding for state police to avoid reliance on uncertain government budgets. Possible financing routes include federal transitional support and the creation of state-level security trust funds.

Enhanced Oversight: The framework proposes greater state representation in national policing policy, including adding rotating representatives of State Attorneys-General to the National Police Council.

Personnel Transition: To build the new force, the plan allows for eligible officers from the Nigeria Police Force to voluntarily transfer to state services without sacrificing rank, seniority, or pension benefits.

Path to Implementation

The push for state-controlled policing has gained significant momentum in the National Assembly. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate have recently moved to advance constitutional amendment bills that would allow for the establishment of state-level police forces.

While the proposal marks a major milestone in national security reform, it remains a subject of intense debate. Proponents argue that local control is essential for a quicker, more effective response to community-level threats. Critics, however, have long warned that such power could be susceptible to political manipulation during elections.

By proposing a structured, legally backed transition that allows states to adopt the system as they become ready, the governors hope to finalize a framework that balances local security needs with national constitutional safeguards.