The newly sworn-in Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Wednesday inaugurated a committee to develop a framework for the proposed establishment of state police in Nigeria.

The move follows renewed discussions on policing reforms across the country. Last week, President Bola Tinubu urged the leadership of the 10th Senate to initiate constitutional amendments that would pave the way for the creation of state police.

Tinubu made the call during a breaking of fast with senators at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he noted that decentralised policing would strengthen grassroots security and improve the country’s ability to respond swiftly to emerging threats.

According to the President, Nigeria’s current centralised policing structure requires constitutional review to accommodate the proposed reform.

Speaking during the inauguration of the committee, Disu said the panel was tasked with examining the concept of state policing as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s internal security architecture and deepen community-based policing.

He explained that the committee would review policing models within and outside Nigeria, assess community security needs, and propose an operational framework for the establishment of state police structures.

The committee will also address issues relating to recruitment, training, standards, funding, accountability and oversight.

“Among other responsibilities, the committee is expected to review existing policing models within and outside Nigeria, assess community security needs and emerging risks across the country, propose an operational framework for the establishment and coordination of state police structures, address issues relating to recruitment, training, standards and resource allocation, and develop robust accountability and oversight mechanisms to ensure professionalism and public trust,” the IG said.

Disu added that the proposed state police system could provide more localised security services focused on community safety, conflict prevention, neighbourhood patrols and early response to emerging threats.

“This collaborative arrangement will encourage specialisation, strengthen professionalism and ultimately deliver more effective security outcomes for our citizens,” he said.

The steering committee is chaired by Prof. Olu Ogunsakin, Director-General of the National Institute for Police Studies, Abuja, while CP Bode Ojajuni will serve as secretary.

Other members of the committee include DCP Okebechi Agora, DCP Suleyman Gulma, ACP Ikechukwu Okafor, CSP Tolulope Ipinmisho and retired CP Emmanuel Ojukwu.

Speaking shortly after his swearing-in as the substantive Inspector-General of Police, Disu said the committee was constituted to ensure that the Nigeria Police Force contributes its perspective to the ongoing national debate on state policing.

“The committee was set up early this morning to look into the issue of state police from the angle of the Nigeria Police,” he said.

“We don’t want it to seem as if others are taking decisions and we, the most important people concerned, did not do anything. We want to ensure that the best thing is done.”

The IG also emphasised that the Nigeria Police Force was not opposed to the creation of state police, describing the proposed arrangement as a partnership rather than a threat to the existing structure.

“State police has come to stay, and the police should be able to do their own part in making it succeed. The police are not afraid. Our jobs are not being taken. It’s just an issue of partnership,” Disu added.