Tinubu's State Police Bill Includes Safeguards Against Abuse

On Wednesday, Abbas Tajudeen, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, assured that President Bola Tinubu's bill to establish state police contains extensive safeguards to prevent misuse by political actors. This statement was made during a keynote address at a national security roundtable held as part of the 2026 National Assembly's opening week.

Tajudeen acknowledged widespread concerns that state police could become instruments of political intimidation, echoing fears expressed by the public. He emphasized the importance of addressing these fears to ensure that the state police do not turn into private armies for governors.

Additionally, former Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd) called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria's security architecture, while Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani advocated for intelligence-led policing and stronger inter-agency collaboration, alongside greater use of technology to enhance Nigeria's security framework.