‎State Police must align with federalism, citizens’ rights – Governors

Abuja – State governors have emphasized that any move to establish state police in Nigeria must be rooted in the principles of federalism and designed to protect the rights of citizens.
‎
‎The governors, speaking through the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), argued that the creation of state police should not merely transfer policing powers from the federal government to states, but should strengthen democratic governance, accountability, and public safety.
‎
‎They noted that Nigeria’s growing security challenges have renewed calls for decentralized policing, stressing that state police could improve local intelligence gathering and rapid response to security threats if properly structured.
‎
‎According to the governors, constitutional safeguards must be put in place to prevent abuse of power and ensure that state police institutions operate within the framework of the rule of law and respect for fundamental human rights.
‎
‎The forum also stressed the need for clear operational guidelines defining the relationship between federal and state security agencies to avoid jurisdictional conflicts and ensure effective coordination.
‎
‎They maintained that any constitutional amendment introducing state police should reflect the principles of true federalism, where sub-national governments are empowered to address local challenges while remaining accountable to democratic institutions.
‎
‎The governors further called for broad stakeholder consultations, including civil society groups, legal experts, traditional institutions, and security professionals, to ensure that the proposed policing structure serves the interests of all Nigerians.
‎
‎The debate over state police has intensified in recent years amid rising concerns over insecurity across different parts of the country.
‎
‎Supporters argue that decentralized policing would enhance security management, while critics warn that governors could misuse state-controlled police forces for political purposes.
‎
‎Despite differing views, the governors insisted that any state policing framework must prioritize the protection of citizens, strengthen democratic accountability, and contribute to national stability.
‎
‎