Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has assured that state governors will not misuse the proposed state police system, provided that clear and enforceable legislation is enacted to prevent abuse. Speaking on ARISE NEWS and other platforms, Sani emphasized that the legal framework to be established by the National Assembly would strictly limit the role of state police to fighting insecurity and criminal activities, excluding political cases or manipulation.
He highlighted that fears of governors abusing state police powers are exaggerated and can be addressed by defining the police’s role clearly in the law. According to him, “The law must define the roles of state police strictly for security and crime prevention, not for political manipulation. Once this is in place, abuse becomes nearly impossible”.
Governor Sani, who previously sponsored a bill for the creation of state police, noted that many states already have vigilante groups, whose members are often sent on dangerous missions without adequate arms. The establishment of state police would legally empower officers to carry appropriate weapons to effectively combat banditry and terrorism.
He also called for a constitutional amendment to move policing from the exclusive to the concurrent legislative list, allowing states to establish and manage their own police forces. Sani argued that the current centralized policing system has failed to meet Nigeria’s diverse security challenges, and state police would help fill critical security gaps, especially in states facing unique threats.
The governor revealed that 36 states, except the Federal Capital Territory, have submitted reports supporting the creation of state police to the National Economic Council (NEC). However, the NEC postponed its final decision on the matter until January 2025 to allow for further deliberations and a comprehensive report from the secretariat.
Sani stressed that security is foundational for development, noting, “Without peace and safety, you can’t talk about healthcare, education, roads or any meaningful investment.” The move towards state police is seen as a crucial step to enhance security and governance across Nigeria.
Northern governors and traditional rulers have also urged the National Assembly to fast-track the legislation for state police, reflecting broad political support for the initiative aimed at tackling the country’s worsening insecurity.
