State Police: Govs can’t turn outfit into private army — Abbas
By Gift Chapi-Odekina, Abuja
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, defended the proposed State Police Bill during a National Security Roundtable in Abuja. He reassured Nigerians that the legislation contains constitutional safeguards designed to prevent the misuse of state police by governors and political leaders.
Speaking at the event, part of the 2026 National Assembly Open Week, Tajudeen acknowledged public concerns regarding the potential for abuse of state police powers. However, he emphasized that the Bill was intentionally structured to mitigate such risks.
“I understand the reasonable fears that a state police force could be exploited as a private army by a governor or political figure,” he said. “Those who drafted this Bill were aware of these concerns and addressed them.”
Under the proposed legislation, governors would not have exclusive authority to appoint or remove state Commissioners of Police. Instead, positions would be filled based on recommendations from the National Police Council, with confirmations required from the State House of Assembly. Additionally, removal would necessitate a two-thirds majority vote from lawmakers based on verified misconduct.
Tajudeen outlined provisions allowing the Federal Police to intervene if a state police service becomes compromised, but only under specific constitutional conditions. “If a State Police falls into the wrong hands, the Constitution permits Federal Police to intervene under clearly defined circumstances, with written notice to the Governor and the National Assembly within 48 hours, always subject to judicial oversight,” he explained.
He emphasized that the proposal does not permit the Federal Government to disband a state police service or suspend elected state institutions, viewing these measures as crucial safeguards for Nigeria’s federal structure.
Tajudeen acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s historic move in submitting an Executive Bill on state police to the National Assembly after years of unresolved debate. “For the first time in our history, a sitting president has made state police a central component of national reform,” he noted.
The Speaker argued that Nigeria’s centralized police system is inadequate for addressing emerging security threats, including banditry, kidnapping, and conflicts between farmers and herders. “A country as large and diverse as ours cannot rely solely on a centralized police force based in the capital,” he stated, highlighting the need for security personnel attuned to local communities.
The proposed amendment aims to rename the Nigeria Police Force to the Federal Police Service, while allowing states that meet constitutional criteria to establish their own police services. He clarified that no state police service would commence operations until enabling legislation is enacted by the State House of Assembly and operational standards set by the National Assembly are met.
Tajudeen specified that the Federal Police Service would retain responsibility for issues such as terrorism and federal offenses, while state police would focus on law enforcement within their respective jurisdictions. Independent State Police Service Commissions would supervise state police operations, which would receive direct funding and be restricted from engaging in political, ethnic, or religious activities.
Referencing successful policing systems in countries like Germany, Canada, India, and the United States, Tajudeen underscored the importance of national standards, intelligence sharing, and accountability.
While expressing support for the proposal, the Speaker highlighted the necessity for thorough examination of funding, operational standards, intelligence coordination, and the integration of existing community security groups prior to passing the legislation. He called for a phased approach, suggesting that a National Minimum Standards Act should precede the establishment of state police services.
“The National Minimum Standards Act must be enacted before any state police issues directives: standards first, structures later,” he stated.
Tajudeen also stressed the importance of ensuring a sustainable funding framework to prevent state police institutions from becoming ineffective due to resource inadequacies. He emphasized that broader security reforms should involve improved intelligence sharing, a national biometric database, enhanced border security, and increased welfare for security personnel.
Other stakeholders at the roundtable contributed to discussions on security reforms. House Leader Prof. Julius Ihonvbere advocated for defined roles for traditional rulers and greater community involvement in intelligence gathering. Former Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Lucky Irabor (retd.) stressed the need for intelligence-led operations and institutional cooperation in security efforts.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani called for greater emphasis on intelligence-driven policing and the use of advanced technology in crime prevention. The Etsu Nupe, Brig.-Gen. Yahaya Abubakar (retd.), expressed support for the proposed state police as essential for enhancing community security.
Cynthia Rowe, the UK’s Head of Development Cooperation, commended the consultation process, asserting that inclusive engagement with civil society can strengthen democratic governance and public trust in the reform efforts.
