A committee set up by the Nigeria Police Force to design a framework for state policing has recommended that at least 60 per cent of federal police officers be transferred to state police services, ENigeria Newspaper has learnt.
The seven-member steering panel, chaired by Professor Olu Ogunsakin, presented its 75-page report, titled “A Comprehensive Framework for the Establishment, Governance and Coordination of Federal and State Police,” to the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, led by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.
The proposal, as cited by ENigeria Newspaper, would create a two-tier policing structure. A Federal Police Service (FPS) would replace the current Nigeria Police Force to handle national security, terrorism, interstate crime, and federal law enforcement. Meanwhile, 37 State Police Services (SPS) across the country and the Federal Capital Territory would handle local crimes, including domestic violence, armed robbery, homicide, and community policing.
The report places strong emphasis on community policing. Each State Police Service would maintain a Department of Community Policing, with forums at every Local Government Area including police officers, traditional leaders, women’s groups, youth associations, and religious leaders. Community Liaison Officers would be tasked with engaging locals, speaking native languages, and being evaluated partly on forum feedback.
To maintain uniform standards, the committee recommended the establishment of a National Police Standards Board (NPSB), a 13-member independent federal board charged with overseeing recruitment, training, accountability, funding, and operational standards. The board would also publish annual compliance ratings for every SPS.
The framework addresses concerns that state police could be misused by political actors. It proposed constitutional restrictions on partisan deployment, independent State Police Service Commissions insulated from executive interference, criminal sanctions for unlawful orders, and fast-track Federal High Court review of politically-motivated actions. Additional safeguards include body-worn cameras, public dashboards showing use-of-force statistics, and NPSB inspections.
Funding for the state police would be constitutionally guaranteed, with a 3 per cent statutory federal allocation from the Federation Account, supplemented by at least 15 per cent of each state government’s security budget.
The report also outlined a phased implementation over 60 months: the first year would focus on legal and constitutional foundations; months 13–24 would establish state services and launch the VTP; months 25–42 would oversee initial operations and FPS withdrawal from local policing; and months 43–60 would consolidate full operations with independent evaluation and legislative review.
While supporters claim the concept could greatly enhance community trust and enforcement across the country, security professionals have responded to the proposal with differing views, reflecting worries about funding, logistics, and possible political abuse.
