Olatunji Rilwan Disu, new Inspector-General of Police, has constituted a high-level committee to develop a blueprint for the possible introduction of state policing across Nigeria, giving members four weeks to submit their recommendations, ENigeria Newspaper gathered.
Announcing the initiative in Abuja, Disu described the move as a strategic response to Nigeria’s shifting security landscape. He said the growing complexity of crime and localised threats requires reforms that would make law enforcement more adaptable to community realities.
The committee has been tasked with drafting a practical framework that would allow states to operate policing structures without weakening federal oversight. Its mandate includes examining policing systems in other countries, identifying potential risks, and proposing safeguards to ensure professionalism and accountability.
According to the IGP, the panel will also address key operational concerns such as recruitment processes, training benchmarks, funding models and oversight mechanisms to prevent abuse and maintain public confidence.
Disu stressed that decentralising aspects of policing could help state and local authorities respond faster to security issues within their domains, while the Federal Government retains responsibility for broader national security priorities.
“The goal is collaboration, not conflict. Nigeria’s evolving security challenges require innovative thinking, strategic collaboration and bold reforms to make policing more responsive to local realities,” he noted, urging members to approach the assignment with objectivity and patriotism.
The committee is chaired by Prof. Olu Ogunsakin and includes retired and serving senior officers such as CP Emmanuel Ojukwu (Rtd), CP Bode Ojajuni, DCP Okebuchi Ogora, ACP Ikechukwu Okafor and CSP Tolulope Ipinmisho.
Addressing concerns that governors might misuse state police structures for political ends, Disu assured that comparative studies and strong accountability provisions would be factored into the recommendations.
ENigeria Newspaper also learnt that the IGP also convened a strategy session with senior officers of the Force, including several Deputy Inspectors-General who served under former IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun.
Although some of the officers are senior in rank to Disu, no formal decision has yet been announced by the Police Service Commission regarding their status.
