President Bola Tinubu has announced that creating state-level police forces is an essential step in addressing the persistent security challenges facing Nigeria. Speaking from the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the President emphasized that the centralized policing system alone is no longer sufficient to protect citizens and maintain public order.
This declaration follows appeals from northern elders, urging the federal government to declare a state of emergency in the region due to widespread insecurity that has disrupted economic and social life. Similarly, the president of Mzough U Tiv UK, Victor Aleva, criticized the lack of progress in rebuilding the Yelewata community in Benue State after a devastating herders’ attack that claimed over 200 lives earlier this year.
Senator Ali Ndume highlighted that Boko Haram attacks are indiscriminate, targeting Christians, Muslims, and those without religious affiliation. He stressed the importance of unified national efforts to counter these extremist threats without bias or profiling.
The President reassured citizens that the federal government is committed to strengthening security infrastructure. Measures include deploying advanced surveillance technology, military equipment, and enhancing the capacity of newly-recruited forest guards. Tinubu further stated that he expects daily reports on security developments in states like Katsina, where banditry has escalated.
Prominent socio-political organizations have expressed support for the initiative. The Pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, described the move as long overdue, emphasizing that effective policing should be local and community-based. The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) echoed this sentiment, anticipating improved security outcomes. Similarly, the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) called the plan a positive first step toward ensuring safety at all levels of governance.
However, not all voices support state policing. Retired General Ijioma Nwokoro cautioned that such forces could be misused by state governors for political purposes, arguing that existing federal police structures, if properly managed, could suffice to maintain order.
