Police Express Readiness for State Policing as Reform Plans Advance
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is actively preparing for the proposed state police system, emphasizing professionalism and accountability. Under IGP Olatunji Disu's leadership, a framework was rapidly developed after comparative studies of global policing models, with ongoing workshops educating officers and seeking input from stakeholders.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says it is prepared to support the implementation of state policing if approved, stressing that professionalism, accountability and operational excellence will remain central to any new policing structure.
As part of its preparations, the force has organised sensitisation workshops to equip officers with the knowledge required to understand and adapt to the proposed reforms. An earlier workshop, organised by the Nigeria Institute of Police Studies (NIPS), was declared open by the then Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who urged participants to share the knowledge gained across their commands.
Current Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, said the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu remains committed to establishing a state policing system. He described the proposal as one of Nigeria's most significant security reforms and urged police officers to embrace it through informed engagement and public education.
Disu also said the police leadership has a responsibility to address concerns and ensure officers understand the objectives of the proposed framework.
The NPF established a Steering Committee on State Police to contribute to the national conversation and develop a framework for the proposed system. According to the police, the committee completed its work within 17 days after studying policing models in countries including the United States, India and Pakistan, with retired Inspectors-General also providing recommendations to strengthen the document.
The force said the framework remains a work in progress and encouraged officers to actively participate in discussions as consultations on the proposed reform continue.