US Lawmaker Advocates for State Police in Nigeria

Rilei Moor, a member of the US Congress, has advocated for the decentralization of Nigeria's police system, emphasizing the need for state governments to be empowered to address the country's escalating security challenges, especially in the troubled Middle Belt region. Moor expressed his concerns regarding ongoing violence affecting communities in Nigeria, highlighting the destruction of a Christian church in Taraba State.

His comments reflect a growing international focus on Nigeria's security issues and the rising calls for reform that would allow sub-national governments to play a more significant role in maintaining law and order. Concurrently, the Nigerian federal government is taking steps to establish state police as part of a broader initiative to strengthen the nation's security architecture.

The Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, has formed an eight-member committee tasked with developing a framework for the implementation of state police, in line with the police reform agenda pursued by the current administration under President Bola Tinubu. The Senate has begun the process of amending the constitution to facilitate the creation of state police.