Jane Salihu
Deputy President of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has defended the proposed establishment of State Police, describing the initiative as a bold reform by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to tackle Nigeria’s worsening security challenges while preventing political abuse.
Speaking during Hannu Da Yawa, a live Hausa programme on Radio Nigeria Kaduna, Senator Barau said the proposed constitutional amendment is the product of extensive consultations involving the Presidency, the National Assembly, security experts, the Nigeria Police Force, governors, civil society organisations and members of the public.
According to him, the bill recently passed by the Senate incorporates robust constitutional safeguards designed to ensure State Police are not misused for political, ethnic or personal interests.
Barau explained that while many Nigerians have long advocated the creation of State Police, concerns over possible abuse informed the inclusion of strict legal and institutional checks in the proposed framework.
He said the new policing structure is intended to complement, rather than replace, the Nigeria Police Force by enabling states to recruit officers who are familiar with their local communities, terrain and security dynamics.
The Deputy Senate President noted that locally recruited officers would be better positioned to combat banditry, kidnapping and other crimes, particularly in regions facing persistent insecurity.
He added that the North stands to benefit significantly from the reform, describing it as a practical step toward restoring peace in communities ravaged by criminal activities.
Addressing concerns raised by callers during the programme, Barau said the President would retain constitutional powers to intervene whenever State Police are misused or where their actions threaten lives and property, including directing the Federal Police to assume responsibility where necessary.
He further clarified that the proposed security arrangement clearly defines operational responsibilities, with the Nigeria Police Force maintaining jurisdiction over national security matters such as terrorism, cybercrime and other federal offences, while State Police would focus on maintaining law and order within their respective states.
Barau also disclosed that State Police Commandants would be appointed through a transparent process backed by legal protections to shield them from undue political interference.
On funding, he acknowledged concerns about operational sustainability but assured Nigerians that adequate financial mechanisms and operational standards would be developed as the constitutional amendment process progresses.
He expressed optimism that state Houses of Assembly would support the initiative, urging Nigerians to embrace the proposed reform as a necessary step toward strengthening security and protecting lives and property across the country.
According to him, the objective is to build a balanced policing system that brings law enforcement closer to the people while ensuring effective oversight and accountability.
