Northern Leaders Declare Centralised Policing Model Obsolete, Demand Swift Implementation of State Police
Northern leaders, under the banner of the Northern Governors’ Forum and the region’s traditional rulers, have reiterated strong support for the rapid establishment of state police, insisting that Nigeria’s centralised policing system can no longer meet the country’s growing security demands.
The leaders made the declaration during a high-level security meeting held on Monday in Kaduna State, where governors, emirs, chiefs, and other key stakeholders gathered to assess the escalating insecurity and socioeconomic pressures facing the region.
According to the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the current policing structure controlled almost entirely from Abuja is inadequate for a nation of more than 200 million people and vast territories that remain vulnerable to banditry, terrorism, and other violent crimes.
They argued that decentralising policing is not only necessary but urgent, stressing that localised security architecture would enable quicker responses, better intelligence gathering, and more accountability at the community level.
The leaders also warned against what they described as divisive or one-sided narratives circulating in the public space, noting that such rhetoric threatens national unity and weakens collaborative efforts to confront insecurity.
They urged Nigerians, especially political actors and opinion leaders, to avoid statements capable of inflaming tensions or undermining ongoing regional peace efforts.
During the deliberations, participants examined the root causes of insecurity, including unemployment, weak local governance, porous borders, and the proliferation of small arms.
They emphasised the need for holistic solutions combining security reforms with investment in education, job creation, and social welfare to restore stability across the North.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to work with the Federal Government, security agencies, and community institutions to fast-track the state policing framework and implement broader reforms needed to safeguard lives and livelihoods in the region.
