State Police Will Strengthen Community Security, Improve Intelligence – IGP Disu

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, has expressed confidence that the proposed establishment of state police across Nigeria could transform the country’s security architecture by bringing law enforcement closer to local communities and strengthening intelligence gathering.

Speaking during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) while attending the United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit in New York, Disu said the move toward state policing has the potential to improve collaboration between security agencies, enhance public trust, and deliver faster responses to emerging security threats.

State Police Still in Early Development Phase

Despite supporting the initiative, the police chief stressed that Nigeria is still in the preliminary stages of implementing state police.

According to him, the process requires careful planning, extensive consultations with stakeholders, institutional capacity building, and detailed studies of countries where decentralized policing systems already exist.

Disu explained that authorities are taking a cautious approach to ensure any future state police structure operates effectively and complements the existing Nigeria Police Force rather than creating overlapping responsibilities.

Why State Police Is Being Considered

Nigeria has witnessed increasing calls for state-controlled policing as insecurity continues to challenge many parts of the country. Supporters argue that locally managed police formations would possess stronger knowledge of their communities, cultures, languages, and security dynamics.

The proposed State Police Bill seeks to amend the Constitution by transferring policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List. If approved, state governments would gain constitutional authority to establish, finance, and manage their own police services while the federal government continues operating the Nigeria Police Force.

Advocates believe such a system could improve crime prevention through stronger community relationships, better intelligence collection, and quicker operational responses.

However, critics have also raised concerns over issues such as political interference, funding disparities among states, accountability mechanisms, and the need for clear coordination between federal and state security agencies.

Community Policing at the Centre of the Proposal

Disu noted that one of the biggest advantages of state policing would be restoring closer relationships between security personnel and residents.

He said officers serving within communities they understand are more likely to earn public confidence, gather useful intelligence, and identify security threats before they escalate.

According to the IGP, community trust remains one of the most valuable tools in effective policing, especially in addressing crimes such as kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, cult-related violence, and other localized security challenges.

Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Global Peacekeeping

Beyond domestic security, Disu used the opportunity to highlight Nigeria’s longstanding role in international peacekeeping under the United Nations.

He described Nigeria as one of the UN’s most reliable contributors to global peace operations, noting that Nigerian police officers and military personnel have consistently participated in peacekeeping missions across different regions of the world.

The IGP recalled that Nigeria’s involvement dates back to the country’s participation in the United Nations mission in Congo in 1960. Since then, Nigerian personnel have continued serving in numerous UN operations, often under difficult conditions.

He also paid tribute to officers who lost their lives while serving in international peacekeeping assignments, describing their sacrifices as a significant contribution to global stability.

Why This Matters

The debate over state police has become one of Nigeria’s most significant constitutional and security discussions. Rising insecurity, growing demands for localized policing, and ongoing legislative efforts have kept the proposal at the forefront of national conversations.

Should the constitutional amendment eventually receive approval, Nigeria’s policing system would undergo one of its most significant structural reforms since independence.

For now, government officials say the focus remains on consultations, legal reforms, institutional planning, and building the capacity needed before any state police framework becomes operational.