The ongoing disagreement between the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly over the creation of state police marks a critical juncture in Nigeria’s security discourse. Far from being a theoretical or political exercise, this debate cuts to the core of how Nigeria can respond effectively to its ever-growing security crisis.

While Egbetokun anchors his opposition on the centralised framework of the Nigerian Police Force as outlined in Sections 214 and 215 of the 1999 Constitution, his argument falls short of addressing the true realities on the ground. He insists that Nigeria should improve funding and reform the existing federal police structure rather than decentralise authority. However, that stance echoes the self-preservation instincts of his predecessors, who have historically resisted any move that would dilute their institutional control.

Centralised Policing Has Reached Its Limits

The Inspector-General’s position grossly underestimates the scale and complexity of Nigeria’s localised security challenges. From Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East, banditry and mass abductions in the North-West, to separatist violence in the South-East, kidnapping in the South-West, and piracy in the South-South, the country is plagued by a mosaic of region-specific threats.

One centralised police structure cannot adequately address all of these problems. This is not merely a logistical issue—it’s also about trust, intelligence gathering, and community engagement. Officers deployed from distant states often lack the cultural familiarity and motivation required to operate effectively in unfamiliar territories. As a result, many communities are left defenceless, while public confidence in the police continues to erode.

During a recent visit to Benue State, President Bola Tinubu reportedly asked Egbetokun why no one had been arrested for the brutal killing of over 200 residents. The IG had no answer. Yet, he remains adamant in opposing the decentralisation of police authority.

The Misplaced Fear of Politicisation

Egbetokun argues that state police could be weaponised by governors to settle political scores and that most states cannot financially support such a force. However, this argument conveniently ignores the fact that the federal police have already been used for political manipulation in elections and for intimidation by those with federal connections.

Moreover, over half of Nigeria’s 400,000 police officers are assigned to VIPs or individuals with no legal entitlement to such protection. This severely undermines the federal police’s ability to protect ordinary Nigerians. If federal policing can be abused, it’s disingenuous to assume that state policing would be more prone to misuse.

The key lies in building proper legal frameworks. With constitutional checks and balances, independent oversight bodies, and strong inter-agency collaboration mechanisms, state police can be held accountable and insulated from political abuse.

Federalism and Local Policing: Global Precedents

Nigeria is not alone in being a diverse federation. Countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia have successfully embraced multi-tier policing structures. In the U.S., there are over 18,000 law enforcement agencies operating at federal, state, county, and municipal levels. This allows for rapid, locally tailored responses and enhances accountability to the communities served.

Canada runs provincial police forces in parallel with the federal Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), while Australia allows states to run their own forces independently of the national government. Even the United Kingdom, though a unitary state, manages its policing through 47 territorial forces that address local concerns directly.

These examples prove that federal or decentralised policing is not a threat—it’s a necessity in a large, complex society.

States Already Fund Security—Why Not Let Them Manage It?

One of the most persuasive arguments for the establishment of state police lies in the financial and logistical support that state governments already provide to the Nigeria Police Force. Across the 36 states, governors routinely donate patrol vehicles, build stations, and fund operations.

Beyond that, state-level security initiatives like the Amotekun Corps in the South-West, the Civilian JTF in the North, and the Agunechemba in the South-East are actively complementing police operations. These outfits operate with community backing and local intelligence, often filling gaps that federal officers simply cannot.

Legalising and integrating these outfits into a formal state policing structure would only enhance their effectiveness, allow for standardised training and oversight, and bolster the overall security network.

A United Call for Localised Security Solutions

The Conference of Speakers, representing all state legislatures, has made its stance clear: Nigeria’s centralised police model is outdated, ineffective, and incapable of safeguarding the nation’s communities. Their collective voice, calling for constitutional reform to allow for state police, reflects the growing consensus across Nigeria’s political landscape.

Their argument is simple yet profound: “The centralised policing structure, no matter how well-intentioned, has become overstretched.”

They are not calling for a chaotic, uncontrolled proliferation of security outfits. Rather, they are advocating for a well-defined, constitutionally backed framework that promotes local security management, effective oversight, and coordinated national cooperation.

The Time for Change Is Now

The idea that Nigeria must stick to a centralised police system because of potential abuse or cost implications is not only outdated—it is dangerously complacent. In a nation where daily security threats have rendered entire communities helpless, refusing to adopt a more responsive and locally anchored policing system is an abdication of leadership.

The creation of state police is not about weakening national unity or encouraging secessionist sentiments. It is about strengthening community safety, improving rapid response, rebuilding public trust, and bringing policing closer to the people.

With proper legislative design, clear command hierarchies, and independent oversight institutions, state police can transform Nigeria’s fractured security architecture into a more agile, accountable, and efficient system.

Final Thought: Let the Federation Function

The 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory are not junior partners in Nigeria’s federation—they are co-equal entities with rights and responsibilities. Their demand for a policing system that reflects the country’s complex, diverse realities is not just reasonable—it is long overdue.

As the security challenges deepen, the question is no longer whether Nigeria can afford to decentralise policing. The real question is whether it can afford not to.