The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Monday said the Federal Government would not place a speculative price tag on the proposed state police system, insisting that no cost would be considered excessive when it comes to protecting the lives and property of Nigerians.

Gbajabiamila, who chairs the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, said the financial implications of establishing state police would only be determined after a comprehensive, evidence-based assessment of the requirements in each state.

Responding to questions after briefing journalists at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, he said it would be premature to estimate the cost of the reform.

“There is no cost that will be too much to secure lives and property, which is the first and fundamental reason for the existence of government,” he said.

“We are not going to pull figures out of thin air or engage in guesswork. The cost will be evidence-based, founded on thorough research and determined on a state-by-state basis because each state differs in terms of personnel, infrastructure and local security needs.”

Gbajabiamila also underscored the need for nationally prescribed minimum standards to guide the operation of state police, saying such benchmarks would serve as safeguards against abuse while ensuring uniform protection for all Nigerians.

According to him, the standards are intended as minimum requirements, adding that states with greater capacity would be free to exceed them.

“You cannot simply establish state police and give states a carte blanche to operate without safeguards. There must be minimum national standards to guarantee that no citizen is shortchanged regardless of where they live.

“States may go beyond these minimum standards if they have the capacity, but no state will be allowed to fall below the threshold required to adequately protect its citizens,” he said.

Gbajabiamila further announced that the public participation phase of the reform process had commenced, with memoranda open for submission for about 10 days, subject to extension if necessary.

He disclosed that the Working Group had also launched an interactive website, nationalpolicingbill.com, to enable Nigerians follow the progress of the initiative and submit suggestions directly.

“The whole idea behind state policing is for Nigerians to take ownership of the process. Every citizen, irrespective of status, has an opportunity to make meaningful contributions,” he said.

He noted that the Policy Advisory Committee reflected broad national representation, bringing together stakeholders from academia, civil society and other segments of society to ensure inclusiveness.

On concerns that some states might lack the capacity to establish and sustain their own police services, Gbajabiamila dismissed suggestions that any state was entirely incapable.

“We do not believe any state lacks capacity. Some states may have more capacity than others, which is why we have minimum national standards. But if, for any reason, a state is genuinely unable to establish its own police service immediately, the Federal Police will continue to provide security until that state is ready to come on board,” he said.

Also speaking, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said the proposed legal framework was deliberately designed to ensure that state police would strengthen security without becoming instruments of political intimidation or oppression.

He said the minimum operational standards were essential to guarantee professionalism, accountability and continuity of policing services across the federation.

“The primary objective of this bill is to secure lives and property. It is equally important that state police do not become tools for political persecution or oppression.

“The prescribed standards are intended to ensure that policing in every state conforms with globally recognised best practices. Citizens must enjoy the same level of protection and benefits irrespective of whether they are served by the Federal Police or a state police service.

“If the system is left without clear standards, it will create room for abuse and undermine public confidence. That is why these safeguards are indispensable,” Fagbemi said.