The Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria (SCSN) has urged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to slow down plans to amend the Constitution for the creation of state police, insisting that wider consultations with Nigerians must take place before any final decision is reached.
In a statement released on Sunday by its Secretary-General, Nafiu Ahmad, the council acknowledged the country’s worsening security situation but argued that establishing state police should not be seen as an immediate solution to the nation’s challenges.
The council said it had been following discussions and legislative efforts on the proposal, describing the issue as one that carries significant consequences for justice, national cohesion and Nigeria’s future.
According to the SCSN, the country is facing an unprecedented security crisis that has claimed thousands of lives, displaced millions of people and devastated farms, businesses and other means of livelihood.
While supporting genuine efforts to improve security nationwide, the council maintained that the country’s security problems are rooted in longstanding issues, including inadequate funding, corruption, poor welfare for personnel, manpower shortages, weak intelligence gathering, obsolete equipment and ineffective coordination among security agencies.
“The immediate priority should therefore be the comprehensive reform and strengthening of existing security institutions through improved funding, recruitment, modern technology, intelligence gathering, border security, accountability and professionalism,” the statement read.
It argued that handing policing responsibilities to state governments alone would not automatically address the underlying weaknesses affecting the nation’s security architecture.
The council also faulted what it described as the speed with which lawmakers were pursuing constitutional amendments on state police, stressing that such a fundamental reform should emerge from extensive public engagement, transparent hearings and broad national consensus.
According to the SCSN, the National Assembly’s handling of the process has fallen short of the level of openness, inclusiveness and rigorous consultation expected for a constitutional amendment of such national importance.
However, it praised legislators who have continued to advocate due process and broader stakeholder engagement, saying their stance reflected the true spirit of democratic representation.
The council further warned that, in the absence of adequate constitutional safeguards, state police could be exploited for political intimidation and discriminatory practices.
It added that Nigeria’s diverse religious, ethnic and political landscape makes it essential to establish a policing system that guarantees equal protection and justice for every citizen.
To prevent abuse, the SCSN called for the establishment of independent oversight bodies, transparent and merit-based recruitment, professional training, effective complaints procedures, judicial and legislative supervision, sustainable funding, and constitutional protections before any state police structure is introduced.
READ ALSO: Tinubu: State Police Will Have Safeguards Against Abuse
It also appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the National Assembly, state governments and other stakeholders to complete comprehensive nationwide consultations and address public concerns before proceeding with constitutional amendments on state police.
The council concluded by praying for wisdom and sincerity for Nigeria’s leaders to make decisions that would strengthen justice, preserve national unity and restore lasting peace and security.
The debate over state police has gained momentum in recent months as the Federal Government and the National Assembly consider major constitutional reforms aimed at restructuring Nigeria’s policing system in response to escalating insecurity.
Supporters of the proposal argue that decentralising policing would allow state governments to tackle local security threats such as banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and communal clashes more effectively while reducing pressure on the Nigeria Police Force.
Opponents, however, have warned that without sufficient constitutional safeguards, state police could be misused by governors to intimidate political opponents, suppress dissent and influence electoral processes.
The proposal continues to generate differing opinions among governors, lawmakers, civil society organisations, religious bodies and security experts, many of whom have advocated comprehensive reforms of the existing policing system alongside stronger legal protections before any constitutional amendment is adopted.