Legalize State Police over Nationwide Security Emergency, Tinubu Tells N’Assembly

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the National Assembly to review existing laws to allow Nigerian states to establish their own police forces, describing the move as essential for tackling the nation’s escalating insecurity.

The call was made during a nationwide televised address on November 26, 2025, in which Tinubu also declared a national security emergency.

The President cited a surge in banditry, kidnappings, and terrorist attacks across multiple states and the Federal Capital Territory as justification for urgent security reforms. He stressed that state-level policing, if legalized, would allow for faster, more localized responses, particularly in remote and vulnerable communities, while complementing federal security agencies.

In addition to advocating for state police, Tinubu announced plans to expand the country’s security personnel by recruiting an additional 20,000 police officers, raising the total planned enlistment to 50,000.

He also directed the use of National Youth Service Corps camps for training new recruits and called for immediate deployment of forest guards to flush out bandits and terrorists hiding in forested regions.

The President’s proposal has received support from several state governments and security reform advocates who argue that devolved policing would strengthen grassroots security and improve rapid response capabilities.

However, some experts caution that the creation of state police must be accompanied by robust oversight mechanisms to prevent abuse and ensure accountability.

Tinubu’s announcement marks a significant step in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to reform its security architecture and confront the nation’s growing challenges in law enforcement and public safety.