Don't Blame Police for State Police Delay, IGP Tells Nigerians

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has dismissed claims that the Nigeria Police Force is responsible for delays in the establishment of state police, insisting that the creation of state-controlled policing remains a constitutional matter beyond the authority of the police hierarchy.

Disu made the clarification on Tuesday during a stakeholders security meeting held in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

Represented by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the South-East, Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, the police chief said the force recognises the potential benefits of state police in strengthening security architecture across the country but stressed that its establishment depends entirely on constitutional amendments.

According to him, the responsibility for creating state police lies with the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly, which must complete the necessary legislative processes before such a system can become operational.

“The power to create state police is a constitutional issue that resides with the National Assembly and the state assemblies,” he said.

“When the National Assembly amends the law establishing the Nigeria Police Force, two-thirds of the state assemblies must also approve the amendment before it can take effect.”

The IGP urged Nigerians and stakeholders advocating for state police to exercise patience, noting that lawmakers are already working on proposals aimed at addressing the issue.

He reiterated that the Nigeria Police Force is not opposed to the idea and acknowledged that state police could complement federal policing efforts in tackling crime and insecurity more effectively at the grassroots level.

Disu also called for stronger cooperation between security agencies and citizens, stressing that effective policing cannot be achieved without public participation.

He encouraged community leaders, traditional rulers, religious organisations, civil society groups and residents to provide timely and credible intelligence that could help security agencies prevent criminal activities before they occur.

According to him, security challenges confronting the country require a collective response rather than reliance on law enforcement agencies alone.

“Security agencies cannot do it alone. We need the support of communities, stakeholders and residents through information sharing and active collaboration,” he said.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Ikioye Orutugu, described security as a critical requirement for sustainable development and economic growth.

He said continuous engagement with stakeholders had contributed significantly to improvements in security across parts of the state and urged residents to sustain their support for security agencies.

“Security is a collective responsibility that requires collaboration, trust and continuous dialogue among all stakeholders,” Orutugu said.

“This partnership has helped reduce crime in Anambra, and we must continue to strengthen it.”

Several stakeholders at the meeting commended the Anambra State Government and the State House of Assembly for establishing local security outfits such as Agunechemba and Udogachi to support conventional security agencies.

They argued that community-based security initiatives have helped improve intelligence gathering and crime prevention in several parts of the state.

The stakeholders, however, renewed calls for the Federal Government and lawmakers to expedite action on the establishment of state police, describing it as a necessary step towards addressing Nigeria’s growing security challenges.

They also urged authorities to improve funding, training, welfare packages and operational equipment for both police personnel and local security operatives to enhance their effectiveness in combating crime nationwide.

The debate over state police has remained one of Nigeria’s most contentious security reforms, with supporters arguing that decentralised policing would improve local intelligence and response capabilities, while critics warn about the risk of political abuse by state governments.