FG Moves to Establish State Police with New Framework

The Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated the development of a comprehensive legal framework to facilitate the establishment of state police across the country. This effort aims to create a dual policing system that allows both federal and state police structures to operate within defined constitutional boundaries.

Femi Gbajabiamila, Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill and Chief of Staff to the President, announced this development on Monday in Abuja. The government has outlined a seven-week program to produce a National Policing Bill, which will serve as the legal and operational foundation for the proposed state police system.

Gbajabiamila noted that while the National Assembly has made progress on constitutional amendments regarding state police, no operational state police service currently exists in Nigeria. He emphasized that the Nigeria Police Force remains the only constitutionally recognized policing institution until the amendment process is completed.

The proposed legislation will address administration, recruitment, funding, and oversight mechanisms, aiming to enhance local security responses while maintaining national standards.