IGP delivers blueprint for State Police to Senate

By Omolade Adegbuyi

History was made on Thursday when the Chairman of the Nigeria Police Force Committee on State Police, Professor Olu Ogunsakin, presented reports on State Police to the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jubrin.

The presentation was at the National Assembly in Abuja.

The presentation was made on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

The report contains the framework for the establishment of State Police billed to change policing tradition that began in Nigeria in late18th century.

Observers told Irohinoodua that the move is the most fundamental intervention in Nigerian security architecture since 1999.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had promised that he would deliver State Police to address lingering security challenges.

In a bold move that could reshape Nigeria’s policing landscape, Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu’s proposal contained framework for the establishment of state police marking a key step in efforts to decentralise law enforcement across the country.

The 75-page document, presented is titled “A Comprehensive Framework for the Establishment, Governance and Coordination of Federal and State Police.” It outlines the proposed operational, administrative, and legal structures necessary for implementing state-level policing.
“This report reflects extensive consultations, professional insights, and strategic recommendations from within the Force,” Disu said, adding that the framework aims to guide balanced, practical, and effective decision-making on this critical aspect of national security.

Senator Barau praised the IGP for the proactive initiative, noting that it complements President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader agenda to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture. He confirmed that the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution will examine the framework alongside other submissions as part of ongoing constitutional reform discussions.

Security analysts say the move could signal a turning point in Nigeria’s long-running debate over state police, a concept seen by many as essential to localised law enforcement but with concerns over governance, accountability, and political interference.
By putting the blueprint on the table, the IGP has not only advanced the dialogue but also placed the issue firmly on the legislative radar, setting the stage for what could become a landmark shift in how policing and public safety are structured nationwide.
As deliberations unfold, all eyes will be on the Senate to see whether the framework can translate from paper into actionable reform, potentially redefining security for states across Nigeria.