Governors Submit State Police Proposal to N’Assembly Amid Rising Insecurity

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has formally submitted a proposal on the creation of state police to the 10th National Assembly, as concerns over insecurity continue to grow across the country.

This move was disclosed on Sunday by the NGF Chairman and Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, during a Sallah visit by 25 governors to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his Ikoyi residence in Lagos.

The visit also served as a platform to discuss pressing national issues, especially security.

AbdulRazaq said the proposal reflects a collective position by state governors and forms part of wider efforts to find lasting solutions to Nigeria’s security challenges.

According to him, the document outlines a framework that could guide the legal and operational structure for state policing if approved by lawmakers.

He noted that conversations around state police are already ongoing among key security stakeholders, coordinated by the National Security Adviser. He explained that the governors’ submission is meant to support these discussions and push for a clear legislative backing.

“On the issue of state police, discussions are ongoing among various security organizations, led by the National Security Adviser, and the NGF has made its contribution. That document will be taken to the National Assembly to see how we can have a legislative framework for state police,” he said.

The governors also pledged to deepen collaboration with federal security agencies. They stressed the need for stronger coordination to tackle terrorism, banditry, and other violent crimes affecting different parts of the country.

“We commit to renewing our collaboration with security forces to defeat terrorism, to steadily expand infrastructure opportunities, and to improve the lives of our people. Together, we must see that breaches of security all over the country come to an end,” AbdulRazaq added.

The Kwara governor further commended President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He said the administration’s policies are beginning to create a sense of inclusion among citizens, while also laying the groundwork for improved security and economic stability.

“Together, we must see that breaches of security all over the country come to an end,” he stressed.

Among the governors present at the meeting were Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Alex Otti (Abia), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), and Umar Namadi (Jigawa).

Others included Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano), Dikko Umaru Radda (Katsina), Ahmed Usman Ododo (Kogi), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Caleb Mufwang (Plateau), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Agbu Keffas (Taraba), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), and Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo). The Deputy Governor of Borno State, Umar Usman Kadafur, was also in attendance.

The push for state police has gained fresh attention in recent months amid worsening insecurity in parts of the country. Many states have repeatedly called for decentralized policing to allow quicker and more localised responses to threats.