The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the establishment of state police to strengthen national security and foster a peaceful environment for all citizens.

Minister of the Ministry of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, made this known when he held a meeting with a delegation from the Steering Committee on the State Police Establishment Framework, constituted under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police.

Sen. Gaidam reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to decentralise policing structures in alignment with its Renewed Hope Agenda.

He noted that bringing policing closer to communities will significantly enhance responsiveness, intelligence gathering, and overall effectiveness in tackling security threats at the grassroots level.

“The dynamic nature of today’s security landscape demands innovative and localized solutions. State policing is no longer optional, it is imperative.”

Gaidam commended the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, for the swift implementation of policy directives aimed at improving policing efficiency across the country.

“Such proactive leadership demonstrates a shared commitment to safeguarding lives and property nationwide.

Chairman of the Steering Committee, Prof. Olu Ogunsakin had earlier outlined the Committee’s ongoing efforts to develop a comprehensive and practical framework for the successful establishment of state police systems.

He emphasised that the initiative is designed to deliver a stronger sense of safety and public trust in law enforcement institutions.

He assured the Minister of the Inspector General’s full support in building a modern, resilient, and community-oriented security architecture capable of addressing present and future challenges.

As momentum builds around decentralising policing, IGP Disu has also presented a comprehensive framework for the establishment of state police to the Deputy Senate, Barau Jibrin, who chairs the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, for legislative input and legal backing.

The submission was made at the National Assembly where the lawmaker received the draft on behalf of the committee yesterday.

The 75-page document was presented on behalf of the IGP by Professor Ogunsakin, who chairs the Nigeria Police Force committee set up to develop modalities for state policing.

Titled “A Comprehensive Framework for the Establishment, Governance and Coordination of Federal and State Police,” the report outlines the proposed operational structure for state police, including governance models and coordination mechanisms between federal and sub-national policing systems.

Disu, in the submission, said the report encapsulates the professional insights and strategic recommendations of the Nigeria Police Force, drawn from extensive consultations and a thorough assessment of the legal, administrative, and operational implications of establishing state police.

“The report covers the considered views, professional insights and strategic recommendations of the Force, derived from extensive consultations and a careful assessment of the operational, legal and administrative implications of instituting State Police in Nigeria.

“It is our expectation that the contents of this report will meaningfully contribute to ongoing deliberations and assist in shaping informed, balanced, and pragmatic decisions on this critical aspect of national security architecture,” he said.

He noted that the document was formally forwarded to the Senate Constitution Review Committee as the Force’s institutional input into the ongoing constitutional amendment process.

Senator Barau commended the IGP for what he described as a proactive intervention, noting that the move aligns with the security reform agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He assured that the committee would subject the framework, alongside other memoranda received, to thorough scrutiny as part of efforts to review the nation’s grundnorm and strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture. (The Sun)

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