Breaking: Details Of Nigeria Police Force Committee Report On State Police Finally Revealed

A committee set up by the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to design a framework for the creation of state police has recommended that 60 per cent of current personnel in the Nigeria Police Force be transferred to state police formations if the proposal is approved.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The recommendation was contained in a report submitted to the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin. The proposal has since sparked mixed reactions from security experts, with some supporting aspects of it while others raised concerns about its implementation.

Nigeria currently has about 370,000 police officers serving a population of over 200 million people, a ratio of roughly one officer to 600 citizens—below the United Nations recommended standard of one officer to 450 people. If the recommendation is adopted, about 222,000 officers would be reassigned to state police formations across the country.

The seven-member committee proposed a two-tier policing system comprising a Federal Police Service (FPS) and 37 State Police Services covering the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The FPS would replace the current police structure following constitutional amendments.

Under the proposed arrangement, the Federal Police would focus on national security, terrorism, and interstate crimes, while State Police would handle local offences such as robbery, homicide, domestic violence, and community policing.

The report also suggested that 40 per cent of personnel remain with the federal structure, while 60 per cent would be redeployed to state commands.

A voluntary transfer programme was proposed, allowing officers to move to their home states or preferred state police services. Officers opting in would receive a three-month salary grant, transition training, and pension continuity assurances.

The committee further recommended the establishment of a National Police Standards Board (NPSB), a 13-member independent body tasked with setting minimum standards for recruitment, training, conduct, accountability, and funding across all police services, while also publishing annual performance reports.

Community policing was highlighted as a central element of the proposal. Each state would create a community policing department, while local forums would include police officers, traditional rulers, youth and women groups, and religious leaders. Community liaison officers would also be assigned to engage directly with residents and speak local languages.

To address fears of political interference, the framework proposed safeguards such as constitutional restrictions on misuse, independent oversight commissions, penalties for unlawful interference, and judicial review mechanisms. Additional measures include ombudsmen, legislative oversight, body cameras, and public performance dashboards.

Funding for the system would come from a proposed State Police Fund, which would receive allocations from the Federation Account as well as contributions from state security budgets. The committee outlined a 60-month phased implementation plan, starting with legal amendments and culminating in full rollout and review.

Reacting to the proposal, former Director of the Department of State Services, Mike Ejiofor, criticised the plan to transfer 60 per cent of federal officers, arguing instead that states should recruit and train their own personnel.

He also questioned limiting state police powers in tackling terrorism and banditry, saying they should be allowed to handle all forms of crime while handing suspects over to federal authorities for prosecution.

Ejiofor further criticised the proposed National Police Standards Board, warning that it could undermine the independence of state police under Nigeria’s federal system.

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