A committee set up by the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has proposed a major restructuring of Nigeria’s policing system, recommending that 60% of current police personnel be reassigned to newly created state police formations if the plan is approved.
The proposal was presented to the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, led by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.
It outlines a shift toward a decentralised policing model but has sparked debate among security experts over its practicality and potential risks.
Key Proposal: Two-Tier Policing Structure
At the heart of the report is the creation of a dual policing system:
Federal Police Service (FPS) – to replace the current national police structure
State Police Services (SPS) – one for each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory
Under this arrangement, the FPS would focus on national-level threats such as terrorism, interstate crime, and federal law enforcement, while state police would handle local issues like robbery, homicide, and community disputes.
Personnel Redistribution Plan
Nigeria currently has around 370,000 police officers serving a population exceeding 200 million—far below the United Nations’ recommended ratio.
The committee suggests moving approximately 222,000 officers (60%) into state police systems, leaving 40% at the federal level.
To ease the transition, a Voluntary Transfer Programme (VTP) is proposed.
Officers opting into state service would receive:
A three-month salary support grant
Specialised transition training
Assurance of pension continuity
Oversight and Accountability Measures
To maintain standards nationwide, the report recommends establishing a National Police Standards Board, a 13-member body responsible for regulating recruitment, training, discipline, and funding frameworks across both federal and state forces.
It would also publish annual performance assessments.
At the state level, additional safeguards include:
Independent police service commissions
Ombudsman offices
Legislative oversight committees
Use of body cameras
Public performance dashboards
Strict constitutional provisions and legal penalties are also proposed to prevent political misuse of state police by governors.
Emphasis on Community Policing
The framework strongly promotes grassroots engagement.
Each state police command would include a Community Policing Department, supported by local forums at the government area level.
These would involve traditional leaders, youth groups, women’s associations, and religious figures.
Community Liaison Officers—expected to speak local languages—would serve as direct links between police and residents.
Funding Model
A dedicated State Police Fund (SPF) is proposed to finance operations.
Funding sources would include:
3% allocation from the Federation Account
At least 15% of each state’s security budget
Implementation Timeline
The transition is designed to span five years (60 months), broken into phases:
1. Legal and constitutional amendments
2. Establishment of state police structures
3. Gradual transfer of responsibilities
4. Full rollout and evaluation
Mixed Reactions from Experts
The proposal has drawn both support and criticism.
Security consultant and former DSS director Mike Ejiofor expressed reservations, particularly about transferring federal officers into state systems.
He argued that state police should recruit and train their own personnel rather than rely on federal redistribution.
He also questioned restrictions preventing state police from handling serious crimes like terrorism and banditry, suggesting they should be empowered to address all threats, with federal authorities handling prosecution where necessary.
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Ejiofor further criticised the idea of a central standards board, warning it could limit the independence expected under a federal system.
The Proposal
While the proposal aims to address Nigeria’s security challenges through decentralisation and community-focused policing, its success will likely depend on how concerns around autonomy, funding, and political interference are resolved.