The Nigeria Governors’ Forum has formally submitted a proposal for the creation of state police to the 10th National Assembly of Nigeria, as concerns over insecurity continue to mount across the country.
This was disclosed on Sunday by the NGF Chairman and Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, during a Sallah visit by 25 state governors to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his residence in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The visit provided an opportunity for the governors to deliberate on pressing national issues, with particular emphasis on security challenges facing various parts of the country.
AbdulRazaq said the proposal represents a unified position of state governors and is part of broader efforts to develop lasting solutions to Nigeria’s security concerns. According to him, the document outlines a framework that could guide the legal and operational structure of state policing if approved by lawmakers.
He explained that discussions on the establishment of state police are already ongoing among key security stakeholders, under the coordination of the National Security Adviser. The submission by the governors, he noted, is intended to support these engagements and facilitate the creation of a clear legislative framework.
“On the issue of state police, discussions are ongoing among various security organizations, led by the National Security Adviser, and the NGF has made its contribution. That document will be taken to the National Assembly to see how we can have a legislative framework for state police,” AbdulRazaq said.
The governors also pledged to strengthen collaboration with federal security agencies in addressing threats such as terrorism, banditry, and other forms of violent crime. They emphasised the need for improved coordination to effectively tackle insecurity nationwide.
“We commit to renewing our collaboration with security forces to defeat terrorism, to steadily expand infrastructure opportunities, and to improve the lives of our people. Together, we must see that breaches of security all over the country come to an end,” he added.
The Kwara State governor further commended President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that the administration’s policies are beginning to foster inclusiveness while laying a foundation for improved security and economic stability.
Among the governors present at the meeting were Hope Uzodinma, Alex Otti, Umo Eno, Douye Diri, Hyacinth Alia, Bassey Otu, Sheriff Oborevwori, Francis Nwifuru, Monday Okpebholo, Peter Mbah, Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya, and Umar Namadi.
Others in attendance included Abba Kabir Yusuf, Dikko Umaru Radda, Ahmed Usman Ododo, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Abdullahi Sule, Caleb Mufwang, Siminalayi Fubara, Agbu Kefas, Mai Mala Buni, and Lucky Aiyedatiwa. The Deputy Governor of Borno State, Umar Usman Kadafur, also attended the meeting.
The renewed push for state police has gained momentum in recent months amid worsening insecurity across several regions. Many state governments have consistently advocated decentralised policing as a means to enable quicker, more localised responses to security threats.
