NEC: Governors Approve Creation of State Police
The ongoing push for the creation of state police in Nigeria has been delayed once again due to the failure of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, under Minister Nyesom Wike, to submit its recommendations on the matter.
This delay has stalled progress towards finalizing resolutions that would lead to the formation of state police.
During Thursday’s National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, 36 out of Nigeria’s 36 states submitted their recommendations on state police, with a majority of the state governors expressing strong support for its creation.
The update was provided by Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, who briefed reporters at the State House.
Governor Sani confirmed that, while there is widespread agreement on the need for state police, the matter was deferred for further discussion at the next NEC meeting, scheduled for January 2025. He explained that the delay was necessary to allow for a more comprehensive report from the NEC secretariat, after which the issue would be deliberated further.
“Today, one of the key discussions at the NEC meeting was the status of the proposal for state police,” Governor Sani said. “While 35 states have already submitted their positions in favor of establishing state police, the council decided to hold off on making a final decision until the next meeting. This delay will give us time to prepare a full report from the secretariat, after which we will have further discussions with all relevant stakeholders.”
The issue of state police has been a focal point of debate in Nigeria due to concerns over rising insecurity. Many states have pointed to the need for more localized policing to address security challenges that vary from region to region. In addition to the 35 states that have already made submissions, Governor Sani noted that other states, such as Kwara, Kebbi, and Adamawa, were still pending in terms of their stance on the issue.
The majority of states in favor of state police have highlighted the growing concerns about security gaps across the country. Governor Sani emphasized that Nigeria’s vast ungoverned spaces and the shortage of personnel in security agencies, including the police and the military, have made it difficult to effectively manage security nationwide. He stated that the establishment of state police is seen as a critical step toward addressing these challenges.
“Most states have agreed that creating state police is crucial, especially given the unique security challenges each state faces. With so many ungoverned spaces and a shortage of boots on the ground, it’s clear that we need a more localized approach to policing to combat insecurity effectively,” Sani added.
The push for state police is expected to remain a key topic of discussion in the coming months, with stakeholders across the country awaiting further developments when the NEC reconvenes in 2025. The continued engagement and deliberation on the issue highlight the urgency of addressing Nigeria’s growing security concerns.
