The National Economic Council (NEC) has announced that a decision regarding the establishment of state police across Nigeria will be made during its next meeting. Bayelsa State Governor Duoye Diri disclosed this to journalists following this month’s NEC meeting, presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Governor Diri revealed that 33 states have submitted their positions on the proposal, while three states—Adamawa, Kebbi, and Kwara—have yet to provide their responses. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has also not submitted its position.
“These three States are Adamawa, Kebbi, and incidentally Kwara, which is the State of the Chairman of our Forum (Governors’ Forum),” Governor Diri said. “The FCT is also yet to submit its position.”
NEC has given the remaining states and the FCT a one-week deadline to make their submissions. This will allow the Council to consolidate the various responses and take a definitive position at its upcoming meeting.
State Police: A National Debate
The proposal for state police has been a subject of intense debate in Nigeria, with advocates arguing that decentralizing police operations will enhance security in the country. Proponents believe that granting states control over their policing structures would enable more effective responses to local security challenges.
Opponents, however, have raised concerns about the potential misuse of state police by local politicians, emphasizing the need for safeguards to prevent abuse of power.
Governor Diri reiterated the importance of reaching a consensus, emphasizing that NEC’s decision would take into account the consolidated positions of the states.
“The Council further resolved to present a consolidated States’ position on State Police at our next meeting,” he said.
A Timely Resolution
The ongoing discussions come amid rising security challenges in various parts of the country. Many stakeholders see the establishment of state police as a critical step in addressing these issues, while ensuring that security frameworks are more responsive to the unique needs of individual states.
With the deadline for submissions looming, all eyes are on the next NEC meeting, where a landmark decision on the future of policing in Nigeria is expected.