Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin has said the proposed constitutional framework for the establishment of state police includes safeguards that would empower the President to intervene if any state government abuses the outfit.

Barau, who chairs the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, made the disclosure during Hannu Da Yawa, a live Hausa programme on Radio Nigeria Kaduna on Saturday.

He said the proposed legislation, which was passed by the Senate last month as part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process, provides for a dual policing system in which the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and state police services would operate simultaneously while outlining conditions under which the Federal Government can assume control.

According to Barau, the initiative championed by President Bola Tinubu is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and address persistent insecurity across the country.

He explained that the executive bill was developed after consultations with the Presidency, the National Assembly, the Inspector-General of Police, retired police officers, governors, security experts, civil society organisations and members of the public. He added that public hearings were also conducted across the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory.

The Deputy Senate President said concerns that state police could be exploited for political or ethnic purposes informed the inclusion of constitutional safeguards in the proposed framework.

He stated that where state police are used to intimidate citizens or threaten lives and property, the President would have the constitutional authority to direct the Nigeria Police Force to take over operations in the affected state.

Barau noted that state police would complement, rather than replace, the Nigeria Police Force, explaining that officers recruited from their local communities would possess better knowledge of the terrain and local security challenges, thereby improving responses to crimes such as kidnapping and banditry.

He added that the Nigeria Police Force would continue to handle national security matters, including terrorism and cybercrime, while state police would focus on maintaining internal security and public order.

Barau also said state police commandants would be appointed through a legally protected process designed to shield them from undue political interference. He acknowledged concerns over funding and operational capacity, assuring that appropriate financial and administrative structures would be developed as work on the constitutional amendment progresses.

He expressed optimism that state Houses of Assembly would support the proposal, saying the reforms are intended to improve public safety while preventing abuse of policing powers.