Governors Push For Expanded Powers As State Police Debate Gains Momentum
State Governors Seek Stronger Security Powers Under Proposed State Police Framework
NIGERIA’S governors are intensifying calls for constitutional reforms that would grant them greater authority over security operations within their states as momentum builds toward the establishment of State Police Services across the country.
The latest proposals emerged from a high-level strategic meeting involving state Attorneys-General, legal experts and senior security stakeholders convened by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Secretariat in Abuja. The deliberations focused on developing a comprehensive framework for decentralised policing capable of addressing Nigeria’s increasingly complex security challenges.
Participants described the discussions as a major step toward reshaping the nation’s security architecture through a system that balances local policing needs with constitutional safeguards and national unity.
Push for Constitutional Recognition
A central issue raised during the meeting was the need to formally recognize governors’ roles in coordinating security within their states.
Although governors are frequently described as chief security officers, they currently exercise limited direct authority over police operations because the Nigeria Police Force remains under federal command.
Stakeholders argued that a reformed security structure should acknowledge the constitutional responsibilities of governors while ensuring adequate checks against abuse.
The proposal seeks to address long-standing concerns that state governments often bear responsibility for security outcomes without possessing corresponding operational authority.
Supporters believe greater involvement by governors would enhance responsiveness to local security threats and improve coordination among security agencies operating within individual states.
Security Challenges Driving Reform
The renewed push for state police comes against the backdrop of worsening insecurity across various regions of the country.
Terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal conflicts and organised criminal activities have continued to stretch the capacity of Nigeria’s centrally controlled policing structure.
For years, advocates of state policing have argued that a federal system as diverse as Nigeria requires security institutions that can respond more effectively to local realities.
The issue gained prominence during deliberations at the 2014 National Conference and has remained a recurring theme in discussions about constitutional restructuring and governance reforms.
Recent experiences with regional security initiatives such as Amotekun in the South-West and other community-based security structures have further strengthened arguments for decentralised policing.
Defining Federal and State Responsibilities
One of the most significant outcomes of the meeting was the proposal for a dual policing framework based on cooperative federalism.
Under the proposed arrangement, the Federal Police Service would retain exclusive jurisdiction over national security matters such as terrorism, treason, narcotics-related crimes and interstate criminal activities.
State Police Services, meanwhile, would focus on offences established under state laws and other crimes occurring within their constitutional jurisdictions.
Supporters believe such a division of responsibilities would reduce operational bottlenecks while improving law enforcement effectiveness at both levels.
The framework is also designed to prevent jurisdictional conflicts by clearly outlining the responsibilities of federal and state police institutions.
Funding and Accountability Take Centre Stage
Participants acknowledged that sustainable financing remains one of the biggest challenges facing the proposed state police structure.
As a result, stakeholders recommended constitutional provisions guaranteeing predictable funding mechanisms to ensure operational independence and effectiveness.
Among the options discussed were transitional federal support arrangements and the establishment of State Security Trust Funds capable of attracting contributions from private sector partners and other stakeholders.
The meeting also devoted significant attention to accountability measures.
Participants recommended stronger oversight mechanisms, including broader state representation on national policing bodies and safeguards designed to prevent political interference.
The proposals seek to address concerns raised by critics who fear that state police could become tools for political intimidation during elections and periods of heightened political competition.
Personnel Transition and Future Outlook
The proposed framework includes provisions allowing serving officers of the Nigeria Police Force to voluntarily transfer to State Police Services once established.
Officials indicated that transferred personnel would retain their ranks, seniority and pension benefits, thereby ensuring a smooth transition process.
The recommendations also recognize that not all states may be ready to establish police formations immediately. Under the proposal, federal policing structures would continue operating in states that require additional time to develop the necessary institutional and financial capacity.
With the House of Representatives already approving constitutional amendment proposals and the Senate advancing similar legislation, the recommendations from the governors and legal experts could play a significant role in shaping the final architecture of state policing in Nigeria.
If eventually adopted, the reforms would represent one of the most consequential changes to Nigeria’s security system since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
