AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, SECURITY STAKEHOLDERS, AND THE PEOPLE OF NIGERIA.
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu Democracy Newsline
July 2nd, 2026
A Respectful Appeal for Further National Consultation Before the Establishment of State Police in Nigeria.
Your Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
The President of the Senate,
The Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Distinguished Members of the National Assembly,
Security Stakeholders, Civil Society Organizations,
Traditional and Religious Leaders, and Fellow Nigerians,
I write this open letter with the utmost respect and a deep sense of patriotism regarding the ongoing discussions and legislative efforts to establish State Police in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
There is no doubt that security remains one of the greatest challenges facing our nation. Every responsible citizen desires a safer Nigeria where lives and property are adequately protected. However, reforms of this magnitude should be approached with caution, broad national consultation, and careful constitutional consideration because they will have long-term implications for our democracy, federal system, and national unity.
The establishment of State Police is a significant constitutional and institutional change. Such a decision should be guided by extensive public engagement, expert analysis, and careful assessment of both its potential benefits and its possible risks.
Areas of Concern
While recognizing the intentions behind the proposal, I respectfully believe that several important concerns deserve serious consideration before any final decision is taken.
1. Risk of Political Misuse:-
One of the major concerns is the possibility that State Police could be used as political instruments by state governments against political opponents, critics, journalists, civil society activists, or other individuals during periods of political disagreement or elections, unless there are strong legal safeguards and independent oversight mechanisms.
2. Unequal Financial Capacity:- Among States
Nigeria’s states differ significantly in financial resources. Wealthier states may be able to establish well-equipped and professionally trained police services, while less financially capable states may struggle to maintain effective policing standards. This could create uneven levels of security across the federation.
3. Jurisdictional Conflicts:-
The coexistence of Federal Police and State Police may create uncertainty regarding investigative authority, criminal jurisdiction, arrests, intelligence operations, and command responsibilities, especially in cases involving crimes that cross state boundaries.
4. Coordination Challenges:-
National security requires seamless cooperation among security agencies. Multiple police structures could complicate intelligence sharing, joint operations, emergency responses, and coordinated crime prevention if appropriate institutional frameworks are not established.
5. Command and Operational Conflicts:-
During emergencies, terrorism, communal violence, or large-scale security operations, disagreements over operational command and control could delay urgent responses and reduce operational effectiveness.
6. Financial Burden:-
Establishing entirely new policing institutions would require substantial investments in recruitment, training, salaries, infrastructure, logistics, technology, communications, equipment, and long-term operational funding.
Policymakers should carefully assess whether these resources can be sustainably provided.
7. Differences in Law:- Enforcement Standards
If individual states adopt significantly different policing standards, disciplinary procedures, recruitment practices, or operational guidelines, inconsistencies in law enforcement across Nigeria may emerge, potentially affecting equal access to justice.
Possible Areas of Conflict Between State Police and the Nigeria Police Force
Should State Police be established, the following issues may require careful legal clarification:-
1. Jurisdiction over criminal investigations.
2. Authority to arrest and prosecute suspects.
3. Command responsibility during joint security operations.
4. Intelligence gathering and information sharing.
5. Management of interstate criminal activities.
6. Operational coordination during national emergencies.
7. Constitutional questions concerning accountability and oversight.
8. Allocation of responsibilities in protecting federal institutions and national assets.
Without clearly defined constitutional provisions and operational protocols, such issues could lead to institutional friction that may reduce the effectiveness of national security efforts.
An Alternative Path Forward
Rather than immediately establishing State Police, I respectfully encourage the Federal Government and the National Assembly to consider strengthening existing security institutions by:-
1. Increasing the recruitment of qualified police officers.
3. Improving training, professionalism, and ethical standards.
3. Providing modern equipment and technology.
4. Enhancing intelligence gathering capabilities.
5. Improving officers’ welfare, salaries, and working conditions.
6. Strengthening community policing initiatives.
7. Expanding cooperation among federal, state, and local security institutions.
8. Investing in crime prevention through education, employment, youth empowerment, and social development.
These reforms may significantly improve public safety while preserving institutional coordination.
I respectfully call upon the National Assembly to continue broad national consultations involving constitutional experts, security professionals, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organizations, legal practitioners, state governments, and citizens before making a final legislative decision on this important national matter.
I further appeal to His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to exercise constitutional discretion carefully and ensure that every constitutional, legal, security, financial, and human rights implication has been thoroughly examined before considering assent to any legislation establishing State Police.
My appeal is not intended to oppose reform for its own sake. Rather, it reflects a desire to ensure that any reform adopted strengthens Nigeria’s democracy, protects human rights, promotes accountability, enhances national unity, and delivers lasting security for all Nigerians.
Conclusion
Security reform is one of the most consequential public policy decisions any nation can make. It deserves careful deliberation, evidence-based policymaking, broad public participation, and constitutional clarity.
I therefore respectfully urge our national leaders to proceed with wisdom, patience, transparency, and inclusive consultation before implementing any structural changes to Nigeria’s policing system.
May Almighty God continue to protect the Federal Republic of Nigeria, grant our leaders wisdom, preserve our unity, and bless our nation with lasting peace, justice, security, and prosperity.
Respectfully submitted,
Alh. Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu. Northern Bureau Chief Democracy Newsline Newspaper, can be reach via email balasalihudawakinkudu@gmail.com. phone No, +2348060017934, Whatsapp No. +2348097159568
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