Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has urged officers of the Nigeria Police Force to prepare for the proposed establishment of state police, saying the Federal Government has resolved to implement the new policing system.
Disu made the remarks while declaring open a one-day workshop on state policing. He described the initiative as one of the most significant security reforms currently being considered in Nigeria, with implications beyond the country’s borders.
According to the IGP, discussions on state police have progressed through committee work, constitutional amendment deliberations and the development of an implementation framework.
He said the immediate responsibility of the police leadership is to educate officers on the concept and objectives of state policing to address concerns surrounding the proposed reform.
“We are leading hundreds of officers who must be educated about state police to allay their fears because there are fears everywhere,” Disu said.
The IGP stressed that the reform is not a project of the Nigeria Police Force alone but a national initiative championed by the Federal Government.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria has made up its mind to have state police, and it is our duty to assist them in achieving it,” he stated.
Disu urged participants at the workshop to actively engage in discussions, ask questions and gain a proper understanding of the framework so they can educate officers in their respective commands.
He also praised the Director-General of the National Institute of Police Studies and Head of the Nigeria Police Reform Secretariat, Professor Olu Ogunsakin, for his role in developing the state policing framework.
The IGP recalled that although some believed the police should remain passive since decisions had already been taken, the Force instead established its own committee to contribute to the national conversation.
He disclosed that while the Nigeria Governors’ Forum had already concluded work on its committee’s report, the police committee worked quickly to catch up.
According to Disu, the police committee produced its framework within 17 days, providing the foundation for the ongoing national discussions on state policing.
He, however, noted that the framework remains a work in progress and would continue to receive expert contributions before its final adoption.
Disu further revealed that retired Inspectors-General of Police had reviewed the document and offered recommendations to strengthen it.
He encouraged participants to critically examine the framework and make additional contributions to ensure that all important issues are captured.
The IGP added that the committee studied policing models in federal countries such as India, the United States and Pakistan to guide Nigeria’s approach.
He concluded by urging participants to treat the workshop seriously, saying their contributions would help shape the future of policing in Nigeria.
