Tunji Disu Inaugurates Committee on State Police Implementation
By Momodu Favour
The Nigeria Police Force has taken a significant step toward the implementation of state policing as the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, inaugurated a seven-member committee to oversee the process.
The committee, chaired by Professor Olu Ogunsakin, a renowned scholar in police studies, was formally inaugurated on Wednesday. The initiative is aimed at developing a clear framework to guide the establishment and operation of state police across the country.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, Disu said the move reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and address growing calls for decentralised policing.
He noted that the committee would be responsible for examining legal, operational, and administrative issues surrounding the proposed state police structure.
According to him, the panel is expected to review existing policing laws, recommend necessary amendments, and propose guidelines that will ensure coordination between federal and state policing systems. He stressed the importance of maintaining national unity, professionalism, and accountability in the process.
Professor Ogunsakin, in his remarks, assured that the committee would carry out its assignment with diligence and objectivity.
He said the members would engage relevant stakeholders, including security experts, state governments, and civil society groups, to produce a comprehensive report.
The renewed push for state police has generated widespread debate across Nigeria, with proponents arguing that decentralised policing would enhance response to local security challenges, while critics have raised concerns about potential abuse and political interference.
The committee is expected to submit its report within a stipulated timeframe, paving the way for further legislative and constitutional processes toward the possible establishment of state police in Nigeria.
