The Federal Government has been advised to establish robust legal frameworks before implementing state police in Nigeria.
Speaking at the 2025 National Conference on “Restructuring the Political Architecture in Nigeria: Is State Police the Only Option?” organized by the Institute of Legislative Studies, University of Ilorin, constitutional lawyer Professor Mojeed Alabi emphasized the need for a well-defined legal structure to guide the transition.
Professor Alabi stressed that beyond constitutional amendments, the National Assembly must enact laws that clearly outline the jurisdiction of federal and state police forces to prevent conflicts in authority.
He also proposed the creation of a national police commission, responsible for the training and certification of officers. This commission, he said, would serve as a centralized pool from which various government units could recruit personnel as needed.
Warning of potential challenges, Professor Alabi highlighted discipline, training, and operational control as critical areas that must be addressed to ensure the success of state policing.
“The road to full adoption of state police is fraught with landmines that must be successfully navigated before reaching the promised land,” he stated.
This call for careful planning and legislative backing comes amid growing debates on security reforms in Nigeria.