Group Raises Concerns Over Planned State Police, Demands Safeguards

A civil rights group, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International (TI) Nigeria, has raised concerns over critical gaps in the recently passed constitutional amendment bill on State Policing.

It warned that without stronger safeguards, sustainable funding, and effective accountability mechanisms, the reform could create new avenues for political abuse, weaken public trust, and deepen inequalities in security provision across Nigeria.

In a statement signed by the executive director of CISLAC and Head of Transparency International Nigeria, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani organisation noted that decentralised policing has the potential to improve intelligence gathering, community trust, and responses to local security threats.

It however observed that the establishment of State Police alone will not resolve Nigeria’s security challenges unless supported by comprehensive legal, institutional, financial, and governance reforms.

CISLAC/TI Nigeria stressed that these concerns must be comprehensively addressed before the bill is ratified by State Houses of Assembly and assented to by the President.

According to the organisation, one of the most pressing concerns is the possibility of political interference in the operation of State Police.

It warned that, without strong constitutional safeguards guaranteeing operational independence and independent oversight, state police formations could be exploited by governors and political actors to suppress opposition voices, intimidate journalists and civil society actors, silence critics, and influence electoral outcomes.

The organisation also called for merit-based, transparent, and independently verified recruitment processes, warning that political appointees, partisan loyalists, political thugs, and other politically exposed persons must not be integrated into State Police formations if public confidence and professionalism are to be preserved.

CISLAC/TI Nigeria further expressed concern over disparities in financial and institutional capacity among states, noting that many sub-national governments already struggle to meet basic obligations such as salaries and pensions.

It warned that without sustainable financing mechanisms and adequate administrative structures, many states may be unable to recruit, equip, train, and retain professional police personnel, creating a two-tier policing system in which wealthier states enjoy effective security while poorer states are left with under-resourced and ineffective forces vulnerable to corruption and operational failure.

The organisation added that beyond funding, state governments must demonstrate the administrative and technical capacity required to manage modern police organisations, including effective human resource systems, disciplinary mechanisms, intelligence coordination, and adherence to national professional standards.

CISLAC/TI Nigeria further observed that existing provisions on oversight and accountability require significant strengthening.

It called for greater guarantees of independent supervision, transparent recruitment, robust human rights training, effective complaint and disciplinary mechanisms, enforceable sanctions for abuse, and clear frameworks for intelligence sharing and coordination between State Police formations and federal security agencies.

The organisation emphasised that State Police should not simply replicate existing policing structures but must be equipped to tackle emerging security threats through investments in forensic investigations, cybercrime capabilities, digital intelligence, surveillance technology, specialised response units, continuous professional development, and meaningful community engagement.

CISLAC/TI Nigeria also warned against viewing State Police as an immediate solution to Nigeria’s security crisis, stressing that the transition will require considerable time before new police formations become fully operational.

It urged the Federal Government to continue strengthening existing security institutions through improved intelligence sharing, enhanced community policing, better welfare for security personnel, greater investment in technology-driven policing, and stronger accountability mechanisms throughout the transition period.

Rafsanjani stated that while State Policing could enhance local responsiveness to security challenges, inadequate safeguards could undermine the intended objectives of the reform.

“State policing holds immense potential to enhance local responsiveness to insecurity, but without ironclad safeguards, it risks becoming a new frontier for abuse and fragmentation.

“We urge the 36 State Houses of Assembly, Governors, and the Presidency to prioritise the public interest by addressing these concerns decisively. True security reform must serve the people, not entrench elite power,” he said.

CISLAC/TI Nigeria called on State Houses of Assembly to conduct thorough public hearings and strengthen the proposed framework during the ratification process.

The organisation specifically advocated for greater independence of State Police Service Commissions, dedicated funding mechanisms protected from undue political influence, transparent procurement processes, mandatory independent audits, and the adoption of minimum national standards governing recruitment, training, operations, welfare, accountability, transparency, and human rights compliance across all states.

It also urged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to establish a multi-stakeholder transitional committee to oversee a phased implementation process, monitor compliance, and regularly evaluate the impact of the reform to ensure consistency and professionalism nationwide.