Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, has applauded the Federal Government‘s decision to recruit about 28,000 additional personnel into the Nigerian Army, describing the move as a major boost to Nigeria’s efforts to combat insecurity.

Kalu also reiterated his support for the establishment of state police, stressing that any decentralised policing system must be backed by strong constitutional and institutional safeguards to prevent abuse and ensure it serves the people rather than political interests.

The Deputy Speaker spoke on Thursday while delivering his address at the 2026 South-East Regional Security Summit themed, “Collaborative Approaches to Strengthening Security and Regional Stability.”

He welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to expand the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve divisions and recruit approximately 28,000 additional personnel, saying the initiative would strengthen troop deployment, improve operational readiness and enhance the country’s capacity to respond to emerging security threats.

Kalu commended the President for what he described as bold efforts to address structural deficiencies in Nigeria’s security architecture, noting that increasing military manpower would complement ongoing reforms aimed at improving national security.

According to him, while the military expansion is commendable, sustainable peace requires a comprehensive approach that combines improved intelligence gathering, technology, community participation and policing reforms.

He argued that Nigeria’s highly centralised policing structure has become increasingly inadequate for a federation of its size and complexity, saying local communities require faster response times and security personnel with a better understanding of their operating environments.

As Chairman of the House Committee on the Review of the Constitution, Kalu referenced the Executive Bill, HB 2797, seeking the establishment of State Police Services and related institutions, describing it as a timely response to the country’s security realities.

He, however, warned that state police must never become an instrument of political repression.
“The establishment of state police must be anchored on accountability, professionalism and service to the people. It must complement, not weaken, the Nigeria Police Force, and must never be used as a tool for political intimidation or repression,” he said.

Kalu assured that the National Assembly would continue to advance constitutional reforms necessary for the establishment of state police while ensuring robust safeguards against abuse.

He also advocated stronger regional collaboration among South-East states, proposing a joint intelligence-fusion mechanism, interoperable communication systems, coordinated patrols along interstate routes, a shared database of wanted persons and harmonised rapid-response procedures to tackle criminal networks operating across state boundaries.

The Deputy Speaker urged security agencies to deepen intelligence-led operations by deploying drones, geospatial mapping, forensic capabilities, automated vehicle identification systems and modern surveillance infrastructure, arguing that checkpoints alone cannot defeat increasingly sophisticated criminal groups.

He further stressed the importance of community participation in security, saying residents often possess critical information about suspicious activities and should be encouraged to report such intelligence through secure channels while enjoying adequate protection.

To institutionalise regional cooperation, Kalu proposed the establishment of a permanent South-East Regional Security Coordination Council and a shared intelligence platform to improve coordination among security agencies.
He also recommended that within 60 days, relevant institutions should produce a detailed operational plan outlining responsibilities, funding requirements, implementation timelines and performance indicators, while stakeholders should reconvene within six months to evaluate measurable progress.

Kalu assured Nigerians that the House of Representatives would continue to support security reforms through legislation, appropriations and oversight to ensure that public resources translate into measurable improvements in national security and public safety.