The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has reaffirmed its unanimous support for the establishment of state police as a measure to tackle the escalating security crisis across the region and the country at large.
The forum’s position was disclosed on Thursday by Isma’ila Uba Misilli, Director-General of Press Affairs to the NSGF Chairman and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya. He noted that the 19 northern governors had already adopted the proposal during a meeting with traditional rulers in Kaduna earlier this year.
“They unanimously adopted it and asked the National Assembly to expedite action. So now it’s not within their mandate, but with the National Assembly to provide a law for its establishment. The forum is fully in support of the creation of the state police,” Misilli said.
Pressure Mounts for Reform
The renewed backing comes after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu restated his commitment to establishing state police as part of broader security reforms. It also follows growing calls from northern groups for urgent measures to curb rising insecurity.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) recently warned that northern communities had been “pushed to the wall” and must defend themselves, while the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) urged Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on security. Governors from the six North-East states also met with the president in Abuja this week, decrying the worsening violence in their region.
Divergent Views
While many stakeholders agree on the need for decentralised policing, concerns persist over how state police would operate. The ACF, though cautiously supportive, stressed that constitutional procedures must be followed to avoid abuse.
ACF National Publicity Secretary, Prof. T. A. Muhammad-Baba, said funding remains a major question:
“Do you see how some states have issues with salary payments to civil servants? How well prepared are states to fund state police when created? What will happen if state police operatives with arms are not paid at the end of the month?”
He also cautioned that state police must not be weaponised by governors against political opponents, a fear echoed by several critics.
Former Kaduna senator, Shehu Sani, also voiced skepticism, warning that those calling for state police may regret the move:
“When the President finally approves the state police, you will know the difference between the Federal and the State Police. Enjoy the buffet,” he quipped.
Anthony Sani, former ACF Secretary General, outrightly opposed the plan, arguing that unless new forces are properly funded, trained, and motivated, they will be no more effective than the current federal structure.
The push for state police is evidence of the desperation of leaders seeking fresh solutions to banditry, insurgency, and communal clashes that have devastated northern Nigeria. But the sharp divisions over funding, political misuse, and operational structure underscore the challenges ahead.
With both the presidency and the NSGF aligned, the matter now lies with the National Assembly, which must undertake the constitutional amendments needed to make state policing a reality.
