Eshiorameh Sebastian
President Bola Tinubu has formally endorsed the creation of state police in Nigeria, directing the National Assembly to create the necessary legal framework for its implementation.
The announcement represents one of the most significant reforms of Nigeria’s security architecture in decades and comes just days after South West governors collectively demanded the establishment of state police during an emergency security meeting.
The President’s declaration formed part of a comprehensive national address on security, where he announced sweeping measures to combat escalating violence across the country.
“I call on the National Assembly to begin reviewing our laws to allow states that require state police to establish them,” President Tinubu stated.
The endorsement came alongside a declaration of nationwide security emergency featuring immediate operational measures. The President authorised substantial recruitment drives, stating “the police and the army are authorised to recruit more personnel,” with the police specifically directed to enlist 20,000 new officers.
To accommodate this rapid expansion, practical solutions were implemented. “The police authorities are, by this statement, authorised to use various National Youth Service Corps camps as training depots,” the President announced, addressing infrastructure limitations that have historically constrained police recruitment.
In a significant operational shift, President Tinubu addressed the deployment of officers for VIP protection. “The officers being withdrawn from VIP guard duties should undergo crash training to debrief them and deliver more efficient police services when deployed to security-challenged areas of the country,” he directed, indicating a substantial reallocation of police resources from personal protection to frontline security duties.
The President also deployed tactical resources to confront security threats directly, stating “the DSS also has my authority to immediately deploy all the forest guards already trained to flush out the terrorists and bandits lurking in our forests.” He emphatically declared that “there will be no more hiding places for agents of evil.”
While pushing for structural reforms, President Tinubu issued a firm directive to the armed forces, emphasising that “there must be no compromise, no collusion, and no negligence.”
He commended recent successful rescue operations in Kebbi and Kwara states while acknowledging ongoing efforts to secure the release of remaining hostages, including students from a Catholic school in Niger State.
Beyond security operations, the President addressed broader societal measures, urging states to “rethink establishing boarding schools in remote areas without adequate security” and advising religious organizations to “constantly seek police and other security protection when they gather for prayers.”
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