State Police Passage Biggest Security Reform In Decades

Director of Mobilisation and Enlightenment for the Renewed Hope Ambassadors,Olisa Metuh, has described the passage of the state Police Bill as the most significant security reform in Nigeria in decades, praising President Bola Tinubu for what he called a historic achievement that could fundamentally transform the nation’s security architecture.

Metuh said the successful passage of the executive bill marked a turning point in Nigeria’s efforts to tackle growing security challenges across the country.

In a statement on Thursday, Metuh congratulated President Tinubu on the landmark development, noting that Nigerians from diverse political, ethnic and religious backgrounds had for years advocated the decentralisation of policing as a means of creating a more effective and responsive security system.

According to him, the reform represents the fulfilment of a long-standing national aspiration and demonstrates the President’s courage, foresight and statesmanship.

“The successful passage of this Executive Bill, initiated and introduced by President Tinubu, marks a turning point in Nigeria’s quest to address the growing security challenges confronting our nation,” he said.

Metuh noted that successive administrations had been unable to achieve the reform despite widespread public support, adding that the establishment of state police would occupy a prominent place in Nigeria’s democratic and security history.

He argued that state police would strengthen community policing by leveraging local knowledge of languages, culture and terrain, while also improving intelligence gathering and cooperation between security agencies and communities.

He further stated that the new policing structure would enhance response times to emergencies and security threats and provide a more effective platform for combating kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, terrorism, cultism and other violent crimes.

He said rural communities and vulnerable populations would particularly benefit from the reform through improved protection and security coverage.

Metuh also highlighted the economic benefits of the initiative, saying it would create employment opportunities through the recruitment and training of personnel while helping to build a safer environment capable of attracting investment and stimulating economic growth.

He added that the reform would strengthen Nigeria’s federal structure by granting states a greater role in securing lives and property, reduce the operational burden on federal security agencies and promote greater accountability and accessibility within law enforcement institutions.

While celebrating the passage of the bill, Metuh called on governors across the federation to work closely with the Federal Government to ensure its successful implementation.

He stressed that the primary objective of the reform must remain the protection of citizens and the maintenance of law and order.

Metuh also urged the National Assembly, state governments, traditional institutions, civil society organisations and other security stakeholders to put in place strong legal and institutional safeguards to prevent any abuse of the state police system.

He warned that state police should never be used as instruments of political intimidation or oppression, insisting that the new security institutions must operate professionally, independently and in accordance with constitutional provisions and the rule of law.

“As Nigeria embarks on this historic journey, all stakeholders must place national interest above partisan considerations,” he said.

Metuh expressed confidence that, if properly implemented, state police would significantly improve internal security, strengthen grassroots policing and contribute to a safer and more prosperous Nigeria.

He again commended President Tinubu for what he described as a bold and transformative reform that many Nigerians believe could redefine the country’s security framework for generations to come.