As discussions on State Police in Nigeria gain momentum, the Senate assures citizens that public concerns will shape any proposed framework.
Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, gave the assurance on Wednesday in Abuja while meeting members of the steering committee of the Nigeria Police Force tasked with developing a framework for State Police.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, Senator Jibrin commended the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, for supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen national security. Disu inaugurated the eight-member committee on March 4, 2026, to be chaired by Professor Olu Ogunsakin, to craft a framework for State Police operations.
Jibrin stressed that the committee’s work should prioritise accountability, safeguards against abuse, and public education. “Your mandate is to design a structure that ensures public safety while addressing citizens’ concerns. During public hearings on the Constitution, Nigerians voiced fears about State Police. Our system must address these concerns and foster trust”, he said.
One of the bills before the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution proposes amending the Constitution to allow for the establishment of State and Community Police. The initiative is aimed at strengthening local law enforcement and promoting community engagement within a legal framework.
To ensure inclusivity, the committee has held zonal public hearings across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, giving citizens and stakeholders an opportunity to contribute to the process.
Ogunsakin briefed Jibrin on the committee’s mandate and sought guidance from the Senate to enrich its final report.
The Senate says the initiative demonstrates its commitment to balancing national security needs with public confidence in any proposed State Police system.
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