The Federal Government has said work on the legal and constitutional framework for the establishment of state police is at an advanced stage, with a constitutional amendment expected soon after months of consultations involving key security and legislative stakeholders.
The information was revealed in a State House press release issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday in Abuja.
Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, gave the update while briefing State House correspondents after a consultative meeting on the proposed state police structure held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Gbajabiamila said the process started months ago following a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We started deliberations in the last three or four months on how to go about the establishment of state police as directed by Mr President.
“Establishing state police is not something that you do with the snap of the fingers. There is a lot involved in terms of constitution and legalities, and thank God we have now gained a lot of traction.
“Hopefully, the amendment will come shortly, and the details of the amendment will come after that,” Gbajabiamila added.
He explained that discussions have now moved to proposed constitutional amendments, while enabling legislation will follow.
“Right now, what we are looking at is the constitutional amendment itself, and then the enabling law would follow thereafter. That is what we have been deliberating on in the last couple of hours,” he added.
Gbajabiamila said the debate has shifted from whether state police should be created to how the legal structure will function.
He noted that President Tinubu, who has continued to push for the policy as part of efforts to address security concerns, will receive a full report of the meeting.
The meeting formed part of wider consultations by the Federal Government aimed at designing a workable framework for state police. The proposal is expected to strengthen internal security, support local intelligence gathering, and improve response to security challenges at sub-national levels.
According to the release, President Tinubu has, in recent months, maintained that state police remains a key response to the country’s security situation, arguing that a decentralised policing system will improve protection of lives and property.
Those present at the meeting included the Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi; and the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, among other senior officials.