The push for state policing in Nigeria gained fresh momentum on Thursday as Olatunji Disu, the inspector-general of Police submitted a detailed framework for its establishment to the Senate.
The document, presented at the national assembly in Abuja, was received by Barau Jibrin, the deputy president of the Senate who also chairs the Senate committee on the Review of the 1999 constitution.
According to a statement by his media aide, the 75-page report was delivered on behalf of the IGP by Professor Olu Ogunsakin, who heads a police committee tasked with developing modalities for state policing.
Ismail Mudashir, his special adviser on media and publicity said in a statement that the 75-page framework was submitted on behalf of the IGP by Professor Olu Ogunsakin, the chairman of the committee set up by the Nigeria Police Force to “examine the modalities for the establishment of State Police in Nigeria.”
The document, titled “A Comprehensive Framework for the Establishment, Governance, and Coordination of Federal and State Police,” details the proposed modus operandi of state police.
Presenting the document, the IGP noted, “the report covers the considered views, professional insights and strategic recommendations of the Force, derived from extensive consultations and a careful assessment of the operational, legal and administrative implications of instituting State Police in Nigeria.
“It is our expectation that the contents of this report will meaningfully contribute to ongoing deliberations and assist in shaping informed, balanced, and pragmatic decisions on this critical aspect of national security architecture.”
Disu added that the report was forwarded to the chairman and the committee on the Review of the 1999 constitution as the Nigeria Police Force’s input on the subject matter.
Senator Jibrin commended the IGP for his proactiveness on the establishment of state police in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda to fully secure the country.
The deputy senate president promised that his committee would review the framework alongside other memos submitted to strengthen the constitution and make appropriate recommendations to the Senate in plenary.
Shortly after he was inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu on March 4, Disu spoke about the administration’s commitment to implementing state police.
He dismissed fears that state police would erode the powers of the Nigeria Police Force.
Disu said, “State police has come to stay, and the police should be able to do their own part in making it succeed.
“The police are not afraid. Our jobs are not being taken. It is just an issue of partnership.”