Morganable news/Security&Justice
Her remarks come amid renewed efforts by stakeholders to amend Nigeria’s constitutional framework to allow states establish their own police formations alongside the centrally controlled Nigeria Police Force
kaNo —
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has warned that the proposed establishment of state police in Nigeria must not become a tool for political oppression, stressing that strong constitutional safeguards are essential to prevent abuse by state governments and protect citizens’ rights.
Speaking on Thursday in Abuja at the “Building a National Consensus for State Police and National Security” conference organised by ARISE News and THISDAY, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District cautioned policymakers against creating a policing system that could be manipulated for partisan interests.
Addressing an audience that included government officials, security experts, civil society actors and academics, Akpoti-Uduaghan said the debate over state police had remained a recurring issue in Nigeria’s national discourse, but warned that its implementation must not open the door to executive overreach at the sub-national level.
“State police should never become an instrument of political oppression or executive intimidation. We must build a policing system that serves the people, protects democracy and remains accountable to the rule of law.”she said
Her remarks come amid renewed efforts by stakeholders to amend Nigeria’s constitutional framework to allow states establish their own police formations alongside the centrally controlled Nigeria Police Force.
However, the senator warned that without clearly defined institutional independence and accountability mechanisms, such decentralisation could create opportunities for abuse, particularly in politically sensitive environments.
Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasised that constitutional and operational safeguards must be embedded in any state policing framework to prevent the misuse of security apparatus by state executives against political opponents or dissenting voices.
She also identified sustainable funding as a critical pillar for the success of state police, noting that establishing new security institutions without a viable financial structure would undermine their effectiveness.
According to her, the Federal Government must design a transparent and sustainable funding model that would support personnel welfare, operational efficiency, intelligence gathering, training and modern security infrastructure across states.
“Funding is one of the most important aspects the Federal Government must address. Without adequate and sustainable financing, state police will struggle to deliver on their constitutional responsibilities,” she said.
Natasha Commends Tinubu, IGP On State Police Bill Passage
The lawmaker further commended President Bola Tinubu for his administration’s commitment to strengthening national security, noting that ongoing reforms had demonstrated a willingness to tackle the country’s complex security challenges.
She also praised the leadership of the police, particularly the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, for what she described as prompt responses to emerging threats.
“I commend Mr President and the current Inspector-General of Police for their prompt responses and decisive actions on security issues. Such responsiveness strengthens public confidence and reinforces our collective commitment to securing Nigeria,” she added.
The conference served as a platform for robust discussions on constitutional reforms, operational structures, funding mechanisms and accountability frameworks necessary for an effective and citizen-focused policing system.
Participants at the event emphasised that meaningful police reform must go beyond the mere creation of state police, calling instead for broader structural changes, including stronger local government autonomy and constitutionally guaranteed funding mechanisms.
State Police Will Bring Security Closer To Nigerians-IGP Disu
In a related development, the Inspector-General of Police, Disu, expressed optimism that state police would enhance community policing and significantly improve intelligence gathering across the country.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria on the sidelines of international engagements, the police chief said decentralising policing would bring law enforcement closer to the people, allowing officers to better understand the communities they serve.
“It will bring policing closer to the people because officers will better understand the communities they serve. It will take us back to the era when almost everybody knew those policing their communities,” he said.
Disu noted that closer community engagement would foster trust between citizens and law enforcement agencies, leading to improved intelligence sharing and faster responses to security threats.
He, however, stressed that the implementation of state police would require extensive consultations, comparative studies and capacity building before it could be fully operational.
“We are still at the teething stage. We need experience, education and comparative studies from jurisdictions already practising state police,” he said.
The police chief also highlighted the importance of collaboration between federal and state security institutions, expressing confidence that a well-structured system would strengthen synergy rather than create rivalry.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to innovation, professionalism and strategic partnerships aimed at sustaining peace, stability and national development.
The ongoing push for state police is tied to a proposed constitutional amendment known as the State Police Bill, which seeks to move policing from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent legislative list.
If passed, the bill would empower state governments to establish, fund, and operate their own police forces while maintaining the authority of the federal police structure.
IGP Reiterates Nigeria’s Commitment To UN Peacekeeping Efforts
Beyond domestic security concerns, Disu also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding contributions to global peacekeeping efforts under the United Nations.
According to him, Nigeria’s involvement in peacekeeping dates back to 1960, beginning with operations in Congo, and has continued uninterrupted, earning global recognition.
“There is virtually no UN mission where you will not find Nigerian personnel serving with distinction,” he said.
Disu added that Nigeria had made significant sacrifices in global peacekeeping, including the loss of many police personnel in the line of duty.
“The United Nations will never joke with Nigeria’s contributions because of our commitment and sacrifices,” he said.
As debates over state police continue to gain momentum, analysts say the success of the initiative will depend largely on the ability of lawmakers and stakeholders to strike a balance between decentralisation and accountability.
