Boost for state police as IGP sets up panel on framework

–Disu sworn-in as 23rd IGP, assures Nigerians on security, welfare

–Egbetokun’s DIGs attend strategic session convened by Disu

–Police monitoring Middle East tensions for local impact

By Kingsley Omonobi, Clifford Ndujihe & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

ABUJA — The push for state police gathered momentum yesterday as newly sworn-in Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Tunji Disu, inaugurated a high-powered committee to develop a framework for its implementation, declaring that decentralised policing “has come to stay.”

The move comes amid renewed national debate and repeated calls for state police, as well as President Bola Tinubu’s recent charge to the National Assembly to amend the 1999 Constitution to accommodate it as part of broader security reforms.

Disu, who succeeded Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, was sworn in, yesterday, by Tinubu as the 23rd indigenous Inspector-General of Police at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said the committee’s assignment is “significant and timely” given Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

Framework in four weeks

The committee, chaired by Professor Olu Ogunsakin, has four weeks to submit its report.

Other members include CP Emmanuel Ojukwu (retd), CP Bode Ojajuni, DCP Okebuchi Ogora, ACP Ikechukwu Okafor, CSP Tolulope Ipinmisho and others.

According to the IGP, the panel is to develop a workable framework through which state policing can operate without undermining national security.

“The committee will review policing models within and outside Nigeria, assess community security needs, identify potential risks, and propose an operational structure for the establishment and coordination of state police systems,” Disu said.

He added that issues of recruitment, training standards, funding, accountability and oversight mechanisms will also be addressed to ensure professionalism and sustain public trust.

“If properly designed and implemented, state policing could bring law enforcement closer to the people, enhance local knowledge of security dynamics and enable quicker responses to emerging threats,” he said.

Disu stressed that decentralisation will allow state and local authorities to respond more effectively to internal security challenges, while the Federal Government focuses on broader national priorities.

“The vision we seek is one of synergy, not competition; partnership, not duplication,” he added.

Fears of political misuse

On concerns that state governors may hijack state police for political vendetta, the IGP assured that such fears will be taken into account.

“All those fears will be considered. Nigeria is not the only country operating state policing. Comparative studies will guide our recommendations,” he said.

He emphasised that the Police is not threatened by the reform.

“State police has come to stay. Our jobs are not being taken. It is an issue of partnership,” Disu stated.

Swearing-in at Villa

Earlier, President Tinubu swore in Disu at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa shortly before the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF; Dr. George Akume, Chief of Staff, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and several ministers witnessed the ceremony.

Tinubu has repeatedly canvassed constitutional backing for state police, urging lawmakers to expedite amendments to strengthen the country’s security architecture.

He also administered the oath of office on six commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, and two from the Federal Civil Service Commission, FCSC.

The ceremonies were witnessed by ministers, senior government officials and members of appointee’s families.

The FEC took off immediately after the swearing-in ceremony with a considerable number of members of Council in attendance.

DIGs’ status uncertain

Meanwhile, senior officers, including Deputy Inspectors-General, DIGs, who served under former IGP Kayode Egbetokun, attended a strategic meeting convened by Disu in Abuja.

Among those present were DIGs Frank Mba, Sadiq Abubakar, Basil Idegwu, Bzigu Kwazhi, Gumel, Adegoke Fayoade and Adeola Hamzat.

By tradition, senior officers are expected to retire if a junior officer is appointed above them. However, at press time, the Police Service Commission, PSC, had yet to announce any decision on their status.

Monitoring Middle-East tensions

Speaking with State House correspondents after his swearing-in, Disu disclosed that the Force is closely monitoring developments in the Middle East amid fears of possible spillover effects in Nigeria.

“Our ears are to the ground. We know we have different groups and sects in Nigeria, some of whom pay allegiance to movements in the eastern part of the world. If anything happens there, the repercussions could come here,” he said.

He said surveillance and patrols had been intensified nationwide, while security agencies are engaging religious and community leaders to forestall unrest.

“We are taking all necessary actions. You can see policemen on patrol. Most importantly, we are talking to stakeholders to ensure no one takes the law into their hands,” he added.

The IGP cautioned Nigerians against spreading unverified information capable of causing panic, especially on social media, and urged citizens to rely on official channels.

Welfare is top priority

Disu also pledged to prioritise the welfare of officers and men, describing policing as a difficult and risky job.

“Some years ago, when I was CP Federal Capital Territoty, FCT, we lost 140 policemen in one year. The job is difficult. Men sleep out and hardly see their families. Welfare is vital,” he said.

He expressed confidence in Tinubu’s support for improved funding and motivation for the Force, stressing that a well-motivated officer will perform optimally.

The new IGP reaffirmed his commitment to intelligence-led policing, accountability and professionalism, saying the police will work to deepen public trust while aligning with ongoing constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening national security.

Afenifere, PANDEF, AYCF, others back state police

Frontline ethnic nationalities groups and pressure groups such as Afenifere, Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum, PANDEF and Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, AYCF, have consistently canvassed creation of state police to fight insecurity.

Backing the call recently, National Publicity Secretary of -Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, Mr. Jare Ajayi stated that contrary to the view of those expressing feasr, “Nigeria is ripe enough for State Police”.

Insisting that the fear of possible abuse by governors is not strong enough not to set up State Police, he argued that if governors don’t have the “apparatus of security at their command”, they will be unable to effectively discharge their duties as chief security officers of their respective states.

Ajayi advised that clauses should be inserted in the state police law that will restrain the governors from outright abuse or politicization of the local police.

In like manner,  the apex socio-political body of the South-South geo-political zone, Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum, PANDEF said the establishment of state police is long overdue, and urged the Federal Government to order a constitutional amendment to give effect to it.

PANDEF said the existing vigilante groups working with regular police and traditional institutions suggest that state police exist, but without the necessary legal backing.

It observed that with the present structure of the police, in which a Commissioner of Police is answerable to the Inspector-General and not the Governor, who is the chief security officer of the state is a drawback.

Concurring, President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, Alhaji Shettima Yerima recently said the insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, and communal clashes in the Middle-Belt regions required tailored responses that a centralized police force often “struggles to provide”.

Shettima said that establishing state police would allow for localized security measures, which according to him, would enable law enforcement to respond more effectively to the unique security needs of each region.

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