The Federal Government on Thursday renewed its call for the establishment of state police, urging the National Assembly to fast-track the necessary constitutional amendments to give legal backing to the initiative.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the appeal in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), led by its Chairman, Major General Chris Olukolade (Rtd.), during a courtesy visit to the ministry.

According to the Minister, this is a part of broader efforts to tackle Nigeria’s security challenges.

Idris said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to decentralising policing in the country and believes that state police would significantly strengthen security architecture across the federation if properly backed by law.

“It is the desire of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that we have state police as soon as it is practicable in this country. The time has indeed come for that,” the minister said.

He noted that the President had already communicated this position to lawmakers and was appealing to them to act with urgency in the national interest.

The renewed call comes amid longstanding national conversations on decentralised policing. The proposal gained prominence at the 2014 National Conference convened under former President Goodluck Jonathan, where delegates recommended constitutional reforms to allow states establish their own police forces.

Subsequent constitutional amendment debates in the National Assembly have revisited the issue, particularly as insecurity in parts of the country has heightened demands for localised security responses.

Advocates argue that state police would improve intelligence gathering, community policing, and rapid response to threats, while critics have raised concerns about possible political misuse.

The Minister added that the Federal Government is working closely with the govenrors and other relevant stakeholders to actualize the age long dream.

Idris also highlighted the role of responsible information sharing in Nigeria’s digital era. He pointed out that technology and artificial intelligence have transformed crisis communication, but warned that their misuse could worsen national challenges.

“We cannot do away with AI, we cannot do away with digital media but we must devise ways and means of ensuring that we use these tools responsibly, honestly, and patriotically in the interest of our dear nation,” he said.

He emphasized that citizens and institutions must respect the rights of others while disseminating information and prioritize accuracy, patriotism, and public trust.

In his remarks earlier, the Chairman of the Centre for Crisis Communication, Major General Chris Olukolade,  commended the government for recognizing the importance of digital and crisis communication in safeguarding the nation.

He stressed the rising threat of misinformation, fake news, and AI-manipulated content, urging coordinated responses across institutions.

“The resolutions reached were very clear and forward-looking. Nigeria must modernize its crisis communication system through stronger infrastructure, enhanced capacity and inclusive governance,” Olukolade said.

He emphasized that a coordinated approach between government, security agencies, and civil society is critical.

“We have seen how mismanaged information can worsen crises. Coordinated communication ensures the public receives clear instructions, reduces fear, and helps authorities respond efficiently,” he said.

In addition, he called for continuous training for journalists, public relations officers, and security spokespersons on advanced fact-finding, fact-checking, and crisis management.

According to Olukolade, this would strengthen media literacy and ensure that news coverage during emergencies is accurate, reducing the spread of false information and building public confidence.