Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), has described President Bola Tinubu’s move to establish state police as a “masterstroke” aimed at tackling insecurity and strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.
Jibrin, who chairs the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, said the proposal is a strategic reform that would improve grassroots policing and enhance the country’s response to security challenges.
Featuring on Radio Nigeria Kaduna’s Hausa programme, “Hannu Da Yawa”, the deputy Senate president said the state police proposal had undergone extensive legislative scrutiny, including public hearings across the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In a statement issued yesterday by his special adviser on Media, Ismail Mudashir, Senator Jibrin said the executive bill initiated by Tinubu was developed through consultations involving the Presidency, the National Assembly, the inspector-general of police (IGP), retired police officers, policing experts, governors, civil society organisations, and members of the public.
He said the initiative was in response to longstanding calls by Nigerians for constitutional reforms to allow the establishment of state police services across the country.
“President Tinubu carefully studied the situation and discovered that while many Nigerians support state police, there are fears that it could be abused or misused for political or ethnic purposes. That is why safeguards have been built into the system,” Jibrin said.
He explained that state police would complement, rather than replace, the Nigeria Police Force by providing locally recruited officers who understand their communities, terrain, and security challenges.
“State police operatives, who will be recruited from local communities, know the people, the terrain, and even the criminals. This will significantly improve our response to banditry, kidnapping, and other crimes,” he said.
Jibrin said the North-East and other regions affected by insecurity would benefit significantly from the reform, adding that bringing policing closer to the people would help address security challenges more effectively.
Responding to concerns over the possible abuse of state police powers, the lawmaker said the proposed framework contains safeguards to prevent political interference and protect citizens’ rights.
He noted that where state police are used to intimidate citizens or threaten lives and property, the President would have the constitutional authority to intervene and direct the Federal Police to take the necessary action.
Jibrin also clarified that responsibilities would be clearly divided, with the Federal Police handling national security matters such as terrorism and cybercrime, while state police would focus on internal security and public order.
On appointments, he said state police commandants would be selected through a transparent process and protected by law from undue political influence.
The Deputy Senate President acknowledged concerns over funding and operational capacity, assuring that appropriate financial structures and operational standards would be developed as the constitutional amendment process progresses.
He urged Nigerians to support the reform, describing it as a balanced initiative aimed at improving security while preventing abuse.
“We must re-engineer our security architecture to better protect lives and property while guarding against abuse. This is a balanced, consultative initiative built on safeguards and aimed at bringing policing closer to the people,” he said.
