Senate Advocates State Police, Youth Fund, and Technology-Based Intelligence to Combat Insecurity in Nigeria

In a significant move to tackle rising insecurity nationwide, the Nigerian Senate has endorsed the creation of state police, the establishment of a National Youth Stabilisation Fund, and the implementation of a technology-driven intelligence system. These measures aim to address the multifaceted security challenges facing the country today.

The Senate highlighted that Nigeria’s current security agencies are contending with modern, sophisticated threats using outdated structures, inadequate coordination, and limited operational resources. This has left the nation vulnerable to crimes ranging from banditry and kidnapping to drug trafficking and illegal mining operations.

The leadership of the House of Representatives, under Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, faced one of its most significant challenges in 2025 when controversy arose over discrepancies in newly gazetted tax laws. According to Philip Agbese, Deputy Spokesperson of the House, the issue tested the legislative framework, but Tajudeen successfully navigated the matter, urging Nigerians to embrace resilience and optimism as they enter the year 2026.

Findings from the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on National Security

The Senate’s recommendations are detailed in the interim report of the Ad Hoc Committee on National Security, which conducted extensive zonal public hearings across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The committee identified several critical drivers of insecurity, including:

• Widespread poverty and economic deprivation
• High rates of youth unemployment
• Porous borders facilitating smuggling and arms trafficking
• Illegal mining and environmental degradation
• Rising drug abuse and substance dependency
• Intelligence and information-sharing gaps
• Weak governance and inadequate local security oversight

The public hearings took place between November 16 and 30, 2025, in key cities such as Maiduguri, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Lagos, Jos, and Kaduna. The sessions gathered input from security agencies, traditional rulers, civil society organizations, and community leaders, forming a comprehensive picture of the nation’s security needs. The findings from these hearings are set to inform discussions at the National Security Summit, scheduled for early 2026.

Push for State Police

Central to the Senate’s report is a recommendation for a constitutional amendment to permit state policing. The committee argued that Nigeria’s centralized policing system has become overstretched and inefficient. Governors and local government chairmen—officially recognized as chief security officers in their jurisdictions—currently lack operational control over key security assets. This gap leaves local communities highly vulnerable to criminal activities.

As the report emphasizes:

“The safety, dignity, and protection of all Nigerians should not be privileges reserved solely for the elite.”

Senate Leader and Committee Chairman Michael Opeyemi Bamidele stressed that the hearings revealed a nationwide consensus on the urgent need for security reform. He noted that Nigerians from all walks of life agreed on the importance of decentralizing security responsibilities to improve responsiveness and effectiveness.

Tax Law Controversy and Legislative Leadership

In a related development, the 10th House of Representatives came under scrutiny due to claims that the newly gazetted tax laws differed from the versions approved by the National Assembly. Deputy Spokesperson Philip Agbese explained that the dispute sparked public debate and placed significant pressure on the House leadership.

Agbese emphasized that Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and his team managed the situation meticulously, adhering strictly to parliamentary procedures to prevent the issue from escalating into a wider institutional crisis.

“The tax law issue was a critical test for the House, attracting nationwide attention and scrutiny. The leadership’s careful handling ensured stability and preserved the integrity of legislative processes,” Agbese said.

The matter was formally raised on the House floor by Abdulsammad Dasuki, triggering lively discussions among lawmakers and concern among citizens outside the legislature. Despite the controversy, the House successfully maintained public confidence in its capacity to handle sensitive issues responsibly.