Insecurity: “State Police No Longer Optional,” Tinubu Declares, Demands Constitutional Reforms

• Following the recent wave of attacks on innocent lives in some states within Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared the creation of state police as a national necessity
• Tinubu called for an immediate overhaul of Nigeria’s security framework through constitutional reform to address Nigeria’s growing security crisis
• Tinubu spoke in Abuja during a one-day legislative dialogue on constitutional review and national security architecture, organised by the House of Representatives

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

Abuja - President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for an urgent overhaul of Nigeria’s security framework through constitutional reform, declaring that the establishment of state police is now a necessity given the country’s deepening security challenges.

State police: Tinubu canvass overhaul of security architecture

Tinubu spoke in Abuja on Monday, June 16, during a one-day legislative dialogue on constitutional review and national security architecture, organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review.

Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, at the high-level event, said the current centralised security system need reform to address evolving security challenges.

“The debate over State Police is no longer theoretical. It is grounded in the daily fears and live anxieties of Nigerians: farmers afraid to tend their fields, traders unsure of safe passage, and communities abandoned to self-help,” Tinubu said.

Nigeria's 1999 Constitution outdated - Tinubu

As reported by Daily Trust, the president described Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution as foundational to its democracy but outdated in dealing with modern security threats.

Tinubu called for bold constitutional amendments that would move policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List, enabling states with capacity and political will to establish their own police forces.

“We must learn from global best practices, adapting decentralised policing models that enhance local accountability without sacrificing national oversight,” the president noted.

Tinubu spoke days after over 100 people were reportedly killed in fresh Benue attack said to have been launched by suspected herdsmen.

This comes as Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar condemned the recent massacre in Benue state and criticised Tinubu's government’s inaction.

Both leaders emphasised the lack of empathy and accountability from President Tinubu, who failed to visit the massacre site, highlighting the growing insecurity in the country.

“Enough is enough. The people of Benue have suffered for too long,” Atiku said.

Read more about state police here:

• 36 states assembly speakers endorse state police, gives reason
• NEC orders 4 states, FCT to submit report on state police, issues ultimatum
• APC chieftain weighs in on Nigeria's state police debate, gives recommendations

36 state governors endorse state police

In a related news, Legit.ng reported that the 36 state governors of the federation backed the establishment of the state police.

Governor Uba Sani made this known after the National Economic Council (NEC) confirmed that the states have submitted their reports, but the FCT is yet to do so.

Sani, after the meeting, which lasted for several hours, added that deliberation on state policing begins in January 2025.

Source: Legit.ng