Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin has assured that Nigerians’ concerns over the proposed creation of state police will be addressed as part of ongoing efforts to reform the country’s policing system.
He made the remarks on Tuesday while receiving members of the Nigeria Police Force steering committee, which was set up to develop a framework for state policing, during a courtesy visit to his Abuja office.
The statement was released on Wednesday, March 18, by Ismail Mudashir, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Deputy Senate President.
The committee, inaugurated by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on March 4, is tasked with designing a functional structure for the potential establishment of state police across Nigeria.
During the meeting, Barau, who also chairs the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, emphasized the importance of accountability and safeguards to prevent abuse.
“You must, most importantly, work on a structure to create a robust public safety mechanism and engender a secure nation.
“During public hearings of the Senate on the amendments of the 1999 Constitution, Nigerians raised their concerns and fears about the establishment of state police. We should create a system that allays their fears,” he said.
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Barau further commended the Inspector-General for initiating the committee, noting that the move aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s drive to enhance national security.
The committee’s chairman, Olu Ogunsakin, briefed the Deputy Senate President on the panel’s mandate and requested the Senate’s input to enrich the final report.
Barau stressed that the committee is working to develop a comprehensive framework that will guide the possible creation of state police in the country.
The debate over state policing has intensified in recent years amid rising insecurity, including banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, and communal conflicts.
Supporters argue that decentralizing policing would improve response times and allow states to address local security challenges more effectively, while critics caution that state police could be misused for political purposes.
To ensure broader public engagement in the constitutional amendment process, the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution recently conducted zonal public hearings across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, providing stakeholders the opportunity to share their views on proposals such as the creation of state and community police.