Figures cited by Vanguard show that the move toward decentralized law enforcement has reached a critical stage with the submission of a 75-page framework for state policing. The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, presented the document to the Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau. The framework outlines the transition of policing from the “Exclusive” to the “Concurrent” legislative list.
The document addresses long-standing concerns regarding the potential political abuse of state police by governors and proposes a clear delineation of duties between federal and state forces. It also includes recommendations for funding mechanisms and the harmonization of training standards to ensure professionalism across all levels of the new system.
The Guardian noted that “this marks a watershed moment in Nigeria’s security evolution,” while Premium Times highlighted the IGP’s comment that “the framework is designed to minimize jurisdictional frictions between federal and state actors.”
Echotitbits take: We are moving from “if” to “how” on state policing. The success of this 75-page plan depends entirely on whether the National Assembly can bake in enough independence to prevent these new forces from becoming the private armies of state governors.
Source: BusinessDay – https://businessday.ng/news/article/igp-submits-framework-for-establishment-of-state-police-to-senate/, April 1, 2026
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