Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State House of Assembly, Debo Ogundoyin, have again disagreed over moves by the National Assembly to commence the process of establishing State policing in the country.
Speaking on Monday at a National Security constitutional review legislative dialogue organised by the House of Representatives Special Adhoc Committee on Constitution Review, Egbetokun argued that the Nigerian Police Force should be strengthened and better funded instead of creating another branch of policing in the states.
The IGP, who cited Section 214(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), emphasised that the law currently provides for a single national police force and prohibits the establishment of any other police force for the federation or its parts.
But Debo Ogundoyin, in his submission, countered the IGP’s stance, stating that Nigeria’s escalating security challenges demand a multi-level policing approach, including the establishment of State police to enhance local security responsiveness.
Ogundoyin maintained that State Assemblies under his leadership are fully in support of policing at the subnational level to aid governors and local government council chairmen to address emerging security threats.
Egbetokun, on his part, insisted that the provisions of the constitution clearly outline the centralised character of policing in Nigeria and the operational authority entrusted to the Inspector General of Police under the supervision of the President and Police Council.
The Police chief noted that the Nigerian Police Force acknowledges the rationale behind the demand for State police, including the desire for locally responsive policing, quicker reaction to community-level threats, and decentralised law enforcement presence but explained that assessment based on current political, institutional and socioeconomic realities suggests that Nigeria is not yet prepared to devolve powers of the Police to the State level.
Egbetokun expressed concerns over the possibility of political misuse of Police powers at the State level, lack of funding capacity by most states to maintain and equip a state-controlled force, the potential for fragmentation of national security, intelligence, and command, and the absence of a regulatory architecture to ensure standard and operational cohesion.
He suggested that instead of fragmenting policing authority, constitutional and legislative reform should be directed towards strengthening the Nigerian Police Force through improved funding and autonomy.
This could be achieved by establishing State and community policing frameworks under the supervision of the Nigerian Police, with a standardized recruitment, training, and discipline framework for all policing functions.
He called on the National Assembly to consider legislative reforms that prioritise enhanced federal policing capacity while allowing for structured auxiliary support from sub-national units under strict constitutional and operational safeguards.
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Yet, Ogundoyin maintained that as presiding officers of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, they are first-hand witnesses to the alarming toll that insecurity continues to take on the lives and property of their people, including the government.
He told the gathering that the State Houses of Assembly have an unwavering commitment to strengthening the nation’s security institutions and will continue to inspire confidence in the connected resolve to safeguard the nation.
The State Assembly Speakers’ chairman, who recognised the efforts of the Nigerian Police to secure the nation over the years, said the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria subscribes to the establishment of State police after noticing that the centralised policing structure, no matter how well-intentioned, has become overstretched.
He asked the Inspector General of Police not to see the move as a political position but as a patriotic and strategic necessity, affirming that the Conference of Speakers stands fully committed to supporting the vision of ushering in a new era of constitutional clarity on national security reforms; a position he said they owe to the people, Nigeria, and the next generation.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
