The call for state policing is getting louder now than it was years ago. Governors, traditional and civic leaders, and many Nigerians point to the worsening attacks, banditry, and kidnappings and say the current system is not coping.
“I am reviewing all the aspects of security; I have to create a state police. We are looking at that holistically.’’ President Bola Tinubu’s words signalled a willingness to work with the National Assembly on a path to devolved policing, and several regional voices are pressing for action. This is not a question of politics alone. It is about lives, property, and the state’s credibility in protecting its people.
That said, the word ‘state policing’ often scares people for a clear reason. When security forces answer to local politicians alone, there is a risk they will be used to settle political scores. The solution cannot be a repeat of that risk. What Nigerians need is a form of state-based policing that follows clear laws, respects human rights, operates with independent oversight, and works closely with national security agencies. The Police Act of 2020 provides a starting point. It modernised the legal framework for policing, emphasising accountability and community cooperation. Any move toward state police must build on those principles.
We must also learn from structures that already operate at the subnational level. The Western Nigeria Security Network, known as Amotekun, shows how a regional security outfit can add value to public safety when it focuses on local knowledge, community trust, and crime prevention. Its record is mixed, and lessons are clear: strong rules, clear roles, and coordination with national forces matter if community security units are to help, not complicate matters. That experience must inform any national roll-out of state policing.
Legal clarity is essential. States cannot simply set up armed forces without a clear constitutional and statutory framework. Any law that creates a state police force must spell out its mandate, limits, and oversight. It must define how state forces will cooperate with the Nigerian Police Force and with military and intelligence agencies when required. The law should also protect citizens’ rights and limit political interference from cabals in state houses.
Professional standards must be non-negotiable. Recruitment, training, and promotion should be merit-based and accredited by a national standards body instead of being based on who you know. Officers must be accountable for abuses. Independent complaint mechanisms and civilian oversight boards at the state level will help build Nigerians’ trust.
Our state policing must complement existing forces rather than duplicate them. The point is not to create rival armies but to close capacity gaps. In practice, that means states should focus on local crime prevention, rapid response to neighbourhood attacks, intelligence gathering, and protection of critical local infrastructure. Serious or national-level crimes will still require support from federal security agencies. Protocols are needed so that jurisdictional conflicts do not harm victims or delay rescue operations.
We need to plan to match realistic needs. States should avoid the temptation to hire large numbers of poorly trained operatives just to show presence. Quality beats quantity. A carefully designed state force with enough trained officers for patrols, investigations, and rapid response provides far better security than a large force without discipline or training.
Funding is the hardest question and the one that will decide whether state policing succeeds or collapses. States cannot rely only on ad hoc allocations. A mix of approaches is more sustainable. State budgets must include a dedicated line for policing and security. Where possible, states should explore local revenue measures that are fair and transparent.
Accountability for spending must be public and regular. States must publish budgets, procurement details, and results. Citizens’ assemblies and local oversight committees can monitor performance and pay outcomes. Without transparency, state policing will invite corruption and abuse.
Best practice from other countries and UN guidance emphasise community participation and evidence-led policing. Improved trust comes when police focus on solving problems that matter to local people, when they report results, and when they invite civic participation in shaping priorities. Community policing will not solve every crisis, but it is a cornerstone of legitimacy and a useful tool for intelligence and prevention.
Political will must be matched by safeguards. Governors and legislators must accept that state police are public institutions accountable to law and to citizens. They must resist the temptation to use new forces as political tools during elections.
The nation faces a choice. We can keep arguing in the abstract while attacks continue. Or we can act thoughtfully and firmly to build a system that protects people, respects rights, and works with national agencies. Many communities now live in fear, and it may be the difference between life and death. If done right, state policing will bring safety closer to home without handing security to political interests. That is the only acceptable path forward.
