By Adebayo Akinade and Ade Abolurin

The Institute of Security Nigeria (ISN) commends President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for inaugurating the Presidential Panel to draft the National Policing Bill for State Police Implementation.

Insecurity in Nigeria has outpaced the capacity of a centralised policing model. Banditry, kidnapping, communal clashes, and terrorism demand a policing architecture that is decentralised, intelligence-led, and closer to the people.

This position paper provides ISN’s legal, operational, and financial recommendations to guide the Panel in drafting a Bill that delivers security, accountability, and constitutional order.

Philosophy and justification
Philosophy: Security is multi-level. The Federal Government handles strategic and transnational threats, States handle operational and local threats, and Communities provide preventive intelligence.

Justification: _Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution_ makes “security and welfare of the people” the primary purpose of government. A centralised NPF alone cannot meet this mandate across 774 LGAs. State Police, properly regulated, will enhance response time, intelligence, and community trust.

ISN position on state police
ISN supports the establishment of State Police as a complementary tier to the Nigeria Police Force, not a replacement. It must be guided by law, oversight, and professionalism to prevent misuse for political or ethnic purposes.

Legal recommendations for the national policing bill
Constitutional amendment: Amend _Sections 214, 215 and Item 45 of the Second Schedule_ of the 1999 Constitution to devolve policing powers to States while retaining Federal oversight for national security.

National policing commission: Establish an independent Commission to set national standards for recruitment, training, discipline, use of force, and human rights compliance across all police tiers.

Clear jurisdictional mandate: Define exclusive, concurrent, and residual powers between NPF and State Police. NPF retains terrorism, interstate crime, border security. State Police handles intrastate crime, traffic, and community policing.

Accountability framework: Mandate State Police Service Commissions, Civilian Oversight Boards, Body Cameras, and compliance with _Police Act 2020_, _ACJA 2015_, and _African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights_.

Anti-politicisation clause: Prohibit Governors from direct command of State Police for partisan purposes. Operational command must rest with a professionally appointed Commissioner of Police subject to Commission oversight.

Operational recommendations
Integrated Command and Intelligence: Create a National Security Data Exchange between NPF, DSS, NSCDC, DIA and State Police for real-time crime tracking and analysis as provided in SOM 203.

Community policing model: Recruit 70 per cent of State Police personnel from the LGAs they will serve. Emphasise local language, culture, and intelligence gathering.

Specialised units: Each State Police to have units for: Anti-Kidnapping, Anti-Banditry, Rural Patrol, Gender-Based Violence, and Digital Crime.

Training and doctrine: National Police Academy curriculum to be harmonised. Joint training with NPF and NSCDC on forensics, investigation, and human rights.

Equipment and technology: Standardise weapons, vehicles, and communication. Deploy GIS crime mapping, body-worn cameras, and AFIS for criminal records.

Financial recommendations
State police trust fund: Establish a Fund fed by 0.5 per cent of Federation Account, 1 ;per cent of State IGR, and security votes. Managed by the National Policing Commission with public audits.

Insurance and welfare: Provide life insurance, hazard allowance, and pension for State Police officers to boost morale and reduce corruption.

Public-private partnership: Allow States to partner with private sector for logistics, surveillance tech, and training under strict regulation.

Budget transparency: All State Police budgets must be published and subject to scrutiny by State Assemblies and the Auditor General.

Asset Protection: Criminalise vandalism of police assets. Provide grants for victims of police brutality from the Trust Fund.

Safeguards against abuse
To prevent the misuse feared by critics, ISN recommends:
Federal intervention clause: President, on advice of National Security Council, can take over a State Police command during emergency or gross abuse.

Rotation and posting policy: Senior officers to serve outside their state of origin to prevent ethnic bias.

Independent Complaints Commission: Citizens can petition for investigation of misconduct.

Link to national development and security
State Police will directly support:
Economic Security: Protect farms, factories, highways, and solid mineral sites – reducing losses and attracting investment.

Job creation: Estimated 250,000 jobs across 36 states in recruitment and support services.

Preventive Security: Early warning from communities will stop conflicts before they escalate.

Conclusion
The National Policing Bill is not just a law. It is a nation-building instrument. If properly drafted, it will decentralise security without fragmenting the nation, and empower communities without weakening the centre.

ISN urges the Presidential Panel to produce a Bill that is constitutional, professional, accountable, and adequately funded. Nigeria cannot afford to delay this reform.

“Decentralised policing is not division. It is the intelligent distribution of responsibility to secure every Nigerian.”

Akinade, Barrister at law, is deputy President and Chief Executive, Institute of Security Nigeria. He can be reached via: [email protected] | [email protected]

Dr Abolurin is Vice President, Institute of Security Nigeria and former Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.