Progress Made on State Police Constitutional Framework

The Presidency has reported substantial progress towards the establishment of a constitutional framework for state police in Nigeria. Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila disclosed that consultations began several months ago, following directives from President Bola Tinubu.

He emphasized the need for careful consideration of constitutional and legal issues before initiating discussions. Gbajabiamila expressed optimism that the necessary constitutional amendments would be completed soon, allowing for legislative action to follow.

The discussions aim to address Nigeria's persistent security challenges, including banditry and kidnapping, which have strained the current centralized police system. The meeting included key figures such as Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, and it forms part of ongoing consultations by the federal government to develop a workable framework for state police.

This initiative is intended to strengthen internal security, improve local intelligence gathering, and enhance the capacity of sub-national governments to tackle emerging security challenges.