Politics

Tinubu to Lawmakers: Legalize State Police Now to Tackle Rising Insecurity

Published by Akinwale Fakinlede on November 26th, 2025.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has renewed his call for the establishment of state police, urging the National Assembly to expedite action on the legal framework needed to bring the system to life. The President said the move has become urgent as Nigeria continues to grapple with rising insecurity across several regions.

Speaking through a formal communication sent to the Senate and House of Representatives, Tinubu noted that the current policing structure—centralized and overstretched—can no longer adequately respond to the complex security challenges confronting the nation. He argued that devolving policing powers to the states would allow for quicker response times, better intelligence gathering, and a more community-driven approach to fighting crime.

According to the President, state police is not just a political idea but a practical necessity. He emphasized that governors, traditional leaders, and community stakeholders have repeatedly expressed support for the reform, insisting that local forces would be better equipped to understand and tackle security issues within their domains.

Tinubu also assured lawmakers that adequate safeguards would be built into the legal framework to prevent abuse of power, politicization, and human rights violations—concerns that have often shaped the debate around state policing. He stressed that what Nigeria needs is a modern, accountable, and transparent security structure capable of addressing kidnapping, banditry, cultism, and urban crime with precision.

The President’s appeal adds momentum to ongoing discussions within the National Assembly, where several legislators have signaled readiness to consider constitutional amendments on the matter. Security experts, civil society groups, and many state governments have also joined the call, arguing that the centralized model has failed to keep pace with the evolving threats across the country.

As insecurity continues to take a toll on lives, livelihoods, and the economy, Tinubu’s renewed push for state policing may mark a decisive moment in Nigeria’s long-awaited security reform. Whether lawmakers will act swiftly remains to be seen, but the pressure for change has never been stronger.

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