State Police Won’t Abolish Nigeria Police Force, Officers’ Jobs Safe — IGP Disu

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu has assured officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) that the proposed creation of state police will not lead to the abolition of the force or affect their jobs, ranks, pensions and accrued benefits.

Disu gave the assurance on Monday while speaking at the 8th Executive Committee Meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council in Jigawa. The meeting was themed “Peace, Unity and Development of the North.”

He noted that concerns among officers over the future of the Nigeria Police Force following the state police debate are understandable but misplaced, pointing out that the proposed reform is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s policing framework rather than dismantle existing structures.

“The creation of state police does not mean the abolition of the Nigeria Police Force. It does not mean the cancellation of your rank, the loss of your employment, the forfeiture of your pensions or the erosion of your accrued rights and benefits. Your future remains protected,” Disu said.

The Inspector-General explained that the objective of the reform is to create policing institutions that are closer to local communities while preserving a strong national police structure capable of tackling interstate, national and transnational crimes.

He added that under the proposed arrangement, the Nigeria Police Force would evolve into a Federal Police Service, with responsibility for handling complex security threats including terrorism, cybercrime, organised criminal networks and cross-border offences.

According to him, the development should be viewed as a strategic repositioning rather than a weakening of the institution.

Disu further assured officers that critical operational structures within the force would remain intact.

He listed specialised formations such as the Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, Anti-Bomb Squad, INTERPOL Unit, Cybercrime Unit and other strategic formations as essential components of the proposed Federal Police Service.

“Our zonal and state formations will continue to exist. Our specialised formations and units will remain critical components of the Federal Police Service,” he said.

The IGP also revealed that personnel interested in serving under future state police structures would be accommodated through a Voluntary Transfer Programme (VTP).

He stressed that no officer would be compelled to leave the federal police structure.

“The guiding principle behind the VTP is simple: choice, fairness and transparency. Officers who wish to remain within the Federal Police Service will continue their careers there, while those interested in serving in emerging State Police Services will have the opportunity to indicate their interest through clearly defined processes,” he said.

Disu assured officers that welfare packages, pension rights, promotions, professional standing and career progression would remain protected throughout any transition process.

He urged personnel not to be distracted by rumours and misinformation but to remain focused on their constitutional duties.