Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A police welfare organisation has called on President Bola Tinubu to withhold assent to the controversial State Police Bill, alleging that the National Assembly passed the legislation without public debate, stakeholder engagement, or input from leading civil society organisations that have long championed police reform and citizens' security in Nigeria. The Movement for Improved Welfare for Nigeria Police Force (MIWNPF), in a press statement dated August 4, 2026, signed by its National Coordinator, Toyin Raheem Prince, described the process leading to the passage of the bill as "an affront to over 200 million Nigerians," insisting that a law with far-reaching implications for the country's security architecture should not have been enacted without extensive public participation.
The group expressed alarm that the bill was processed with no public hearing and no input from organisations that have spent years working on police reform and citizens' security in Nigeria. Among the organisations listed as excluded from the legislative process were the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN), CLEEN Foundation, Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Campaign for Constitutionalism and Human Rights (CCHR), Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), Centre for People's Defence (CPD), Campaign for Democracy and Justice (CDJ), United Action for Democracy (UAD), Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Coalition Against Corruption and Bad Governance (CACOBAG), Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM), Nigeria Democratic Security Coalition (CNDSRC), and several others.
"How can a law that will affect the security architecture of over 200 million Nigerians be passed in this manner?" the group queried, questioning why such organisations were not invited to make submissions before lawmakers. The MIWNPF argued that Nigeria is currently not prepared for the establishment of state police, warning that the proposed structure could easily be abused by state governors for political purposes. "In our current political climate, state police will become a tool in the hands of sitting governors to intimidate opponents, rig elections, and settle political scores," the organisation stated, adding that the misuse of existing state-backed security outfits had already been witnessed across the country.
The group also warned that introducing another policing structure would worsen confusion within Nigeria's already fragmented internal security framework, pointing to the existence of various regional and state-backed security outfits including the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun) in the South-West, the Oodua People's Congress (OPC), Hisbah religious police operating in Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara and other northern states, the Ebubeagu Security Network in the South-East, as well as numerous community policing and vigilante groups. According to the organisation, creating state police without first reforming and harmonising these structures could create rivalry, overlapping responsibilities and weaken accountability.
The MIWNPF further questioned the need for a separate state police hierarchy when each state already has a Commissioner of Police overseeing federal policing operations, arguing that the country's policing challenges stem more from inadequate funding, poor welfare for officers, lack of modern equipment and weak accountability mechanisms than from the existing centralised structure. Drawing comparisons with other countries, the group noted that successful federal policing models in countries such as the United States and Germany are supported by strong institutions, independent judiciaries, local government autonomy and substantial funding. It pointed out that countries like Ghana, Rwanda, and Kenya run largely centralised police forces and have recorded progress in reform, stating that "centralisation is not the problem. Underfunding, poor welfare, and lack of accountability are."
The organisation consequently called for comprehensive reform of the Nigeria Police Force before any restructuring, demanding proper funding, modern equipment, patrol vehicles, forensic laboratories, body cameras and improved information and communication technology. It also called for adequate life assurance, health insurance and pensions for officers, alongside improved welfare, training, psychological support, merit-based postings and the removal of political interference. "Until these are fixed, creating state police is putting the cart before the horse," it said. The group further criticised the legislative process, alleging that Nigerians had lost confidence in the National Assembly and the Senate under its current leadership.
As the bill awaits presidential assent, the MIWNPF has urged President Tinubu to decline assent and called on the National Assembly to convene a nationwide public debate or town hall meeting on policing, with the participation of MIWNPF, civil society organisations and other stakeholders. The group's intervention adds to a growing chorus of opposition to the state police bill, with critics warning that the legislation was rushed through without adequate public participation and could be exploited by state governors for political purposes. The debate over state police continues to divide opinion across Nigeria, with supporters arguing that it is necessary to address the country's worsening security crisis, while opponents warn of the risks of political abuse and fragmentation of command.
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