Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Ruth .J
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has said the proposed establishment of state police will strengthen community policing, improve intelligence gathering and bring security operations closer to the people.
Disu made the statement as Nigeria continues discussions on restructuring its security architecture amid growing concerns over insecurity across several parts of the country. On March 4, 2026, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the police chief inaugurated a committee to examine the framework for state policing, describing the assignment as important and timely for the country’s security future.
The IGP said state police should complement the Nigeria Police Force rather than replace the existing federal structure, stressing that any new policing model must operate within a coordinated national security framework with strong accountability mechanisms.
According to Disu, bringing policing closer to communities would enable security personnel to better understand local challenges, build stronger relationships with residents and receive timely information that could help prevent crimes before they occur.
He noted that effective policing depends heavily on cooperation between security agencies and citizens, adding that community participation remains essential in tackling crimes such as kidnapping, banditry and other emerging security threats.
The police chief has also emphasised the need for intelligence-led, evidence-based and technology-driven policing, with improved coordination among security institutions and investment in modern investigative tools.
The committee established by the IGP has been tasked with reviewing policing models, assessing security needs across communities, developing operational guidelines, and recommending measures covering recruitment, training, funding and oversight for possible state police structures.
Supporters of state police argue that decentralising policing could improve response times because officers operating within states would have better knowledge of local communities, languages and security challenges. However, critics have raised concerns about possible political interference and the need for strong safeguards to prevent abuse of power.
Disu has repeatedly called for stronger engagement between police commands and communities. In May 2026, he directed police commissioners nationwide to intensify community meetings with traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, market associations and other stakeholders to improve public trust and intelligence sharing.
The Inspector-General said the goal of modern policing should be a system where citizens see security agencies as partners in protecting communities, rather than institutions that only respond after crimes have occurred.
The debate over state police remains part of wider constitutional and security reforms in Nigeria, as policymakers continue to search for solutions to challenges involving violent crime, terrorism, kidnapping and other threats affecting communities across the country.
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