NCYP Backs State Police, Urges State Assemblies To Fast-Track Constitutional Amendment

The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly for advancing the constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish State Police, describing the move as a timely response to Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.

In a statement issued to journalists in Abuja, the Chairman of NCYP, Comrade Isaac Abrak, said the passage of the constitutional amendment bill by the National Assembly marks a significant step towards strengthening the country’s security architecture.

He particularly praised President Tinubu for transmitting the Executive Bill to the National Assembly, saying the President had demonstrated leadership at a critical period when Nigeria is battling insurgency, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

“The Northern Christian Youth Professionals commends the National Assembly for passing the constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish State Police in Nigeria. We particularly commend President Bola Tinubu for rising to the occasion at a critical time when the nation is grappling with insurgency, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes. As Chief Security Officer of the nation, the President has demonstrated leadership by transmitting the Executive Bill, a bold step towards strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture,” Abrak said.

According to him, the proposed State Police system will bring policing closer to the people, improve intelligence gathering and enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies to respond swiftly to local security threats.

“Had such a system existed earlier, many security challenges confronting the country today could have been addressed before escalating into the serious threats we now face,” he stated.

The group called on the 36 State Houses of Assembly to expedite action on the constitutional amendment to facilitate its ratification and eventual signing into law.

“We therefore call on the 36 State Houses of Assembly to expedite action on the constitutional amendment to enable its timely ratification and eventual signing into law. Every delay comes at a cost as innocent Nigerians continue to lose their lives and livelihoods to criminal activities,” Abrak said.

The NCYP also acknowledged the contributions of longstanding advocates of State Police, including Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani, former Lagos State Governor and former Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Raji Fashola, and former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, for their commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security framework.

The group further expressed support for the proposed State Police initiative alongside the federal government’s Forest Guard programme, saying both initiatives would complement each other in improving grassroots security.

“While Forest Guards will help secure Nigeria’s forests and deny criminals safe havens, State Police will strengthen community-based policing and bring security closer to the people. Together, these initiatives will strengthen grassroots security, improve intelligence gathering, and enhance Nigeria’s capacity to combat insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality,” the statement read.

Responding to concerns that State Governors could misuse State Police for political purposes, Abrak said the Executive Bill contains safeguards to prevent abuse and ensure accountability.

He noted that reports indicate the appointment and operational oversight of State Police would be subject to checks by the National Police Council, while provisions also exist for Federal Police intervention in exceptional circumstances where a State Police Service is unable to contain a breakdown of law and order.

“These safeguards demonstrate that the proposed State Police system is not intended to place unchecked policing powers in the hands of State Governors. Rather, it seeks to balance grassroots policing with national oversight, professionalism and accountability,” he said.

Abrak urged Nigerians to support the proposed reform while remaining open to future improvements that could further strengthen its effectiveness.

Describing the proposal as one of the most significant security reforms in Nigeria’s democratic history, the NCYP called on all stakeholders to support its successful implementation in the interest of peace, security and national development.