President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his push for state police across Nigeria’s 36 states, revealing he assured US and European partners of implementing the reform to tackle insecurity.
Speaking at the 14th APC National Caucus meeting, Tinubu emphasized state police “must happen” and urged governors to support local government autonomy with direct funding, citing a recent Supreme Court judgment.
Tinubu’s call for state police comes amid rising security challenges, including insurgency, kidnappings, and farmer-herder clashes.
He stressed that local government autonomy is crucial for effective governance and security, insisting that allocations meant for local governments must go directly to them.
The President’s remarks drew support from regional groups, including Afenifere and Arewa Consultative Forum, which see state police as a step towards addressing insecurity.
However, some experts caution that establishing state police may not solve the problem without addressing underlying issues like police brutality and corruption.
