IG, Speakers Clash Amid Intensifying State Police Debate

The Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly and Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police, voiced differing opinions over the need for the establishment of a state police on Monday.

Debo Ogundoyin, the chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly, called for a multi-layered policing model similar to those found in other regions of the country, while the police chief reaffirmed his earlier stance that the Nigeria Police Force needed sufficient funding to address the nation’s security issues.

At the constitutional review legislative conversation on the natural security architecture in Abuja on Monday, they gave a speech.

The dialogue, with the theme: “Nigeria’s peace and security: the constitutional imperative,” was organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser.

On Monday, the Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly and Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police, voiced differing opinions over the need for the establishment of a state police.

At the constitutional review legislative conversation on the national security architecture in Abuja on Monday, they gave a speech.

“These constitutional provisions make clear the centralised character of policing in Nigeria and the operational authority entrusted to the Inspector General of Police under the supervision of the President and Police Council,” he said.

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He added, “One of the most pressing and controversial issues under discussion today is the proposal to amend the constitution to allow for the establishment of state police, including the evaluation of a House bill which seeks to provide legislative authority for this.

“Let me state unequivocally that the National Police Force acknowledges the rationale behind the demand for state police, including the desire for locally responsive policing, quicker reaction to community-level threats, and decentralised law enforcement presence.

“However, our assessment based on current political, institutional and socio-economic realities suggests that Nigeria is not politically prepared for the initialisation of police powers at the state level.

“Our national security landscape is growing increasingly complex. From the insurgency in the North-East, banditry and kidnapping in the North-West and central regions, to secessionist violence in the South-East, and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

“We are confronted with a multifaceted array of tracks, each exposing gaps not only in our security capabilities but more fundamentally in our constitutional architecture and constitutional institutional coordination mechanisms.”

The IG noted that the constitution created certain omissions that impeded the effective performance of the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies in addressing the challenges of security.

“This includes the lack of clarity on inter-agency command in joint operations, absence of a constitutional framework for intelligence sharing and fusion, restrictions on subsidiary policing frameworks like community and state policing and constitutional silence on the vagueness of border security.

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“These challenges underscore the objective to recalibrate our national security framework, especially as it pertains to command authority, policy structure, intelligence coordination, and the legislative underpinnings that govern them.

“Most importantly, previous national security summits and engagements have resulted in strong communiques and robust recommendations,” he added.

According to Egbetokun, a lack of positional clarity in operational command authority has resulted in legal conflicts, diluted responsibility, and delayed tactical reactions in life-threatening circumstances, particularly in combined theatres where federal, state, and municipal security organisations must collaborate smoothly.

Under stringent operational and constitutional protections, he urged the National Assembly to examine legislative measures that emphasised increased federal policing capability while permitting organised auxiliary help from sub-national units.

Ogundoyin, however, did not support the notion since he promised state parliaments’ dedication to state policing.

He said, “As the speakers of the Houses of Assembly nationwide, we know exactly where the shoes pinch when it comes to security because we all face different types of insecurity in our various states.

“We know that the President’s commitment is unwavering in strengthening our security institutions and to continue to inspire confidence in our collective resolve.

“This is an opportunity to align our legislative priorities with the realities faced by our people, ensuring that the constitutional and legal framework of security evolves to address the present and future challenges of the Nigerian Police Force and other agencies who, despite working under extremely challenging conditions, continue to make sacrifices to protect our nation.

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“It is now evident that a centralised policing structure, no matter how well-intentioned, has become overstretched.

“It is on this basis that the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria subscribes partially to the establishment of state police and constitutional imperative.”

Ogundoyin said the call for state police creation was not merely a political position but a patriotic and strategic necessity.

“We recognise that concerns have been raised regarding the potential abuse, the capacity, the limitations and inter-jurisdictional conflict.

“This is the voice of the sub-nationals in this federation. Whether we like it or not, we have to recognise that the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory make up Nigeria, and the Nigerian people are here calling for state police.

“Beyond state policing, the conference also lends its voice to the need for enhanced intelligence sharing and interagency coordination, improved funding, training, and welfare for security personnel, a stronger legal framework to address emerging threats such as cybercrime, transnational terrorism, and arms reformation,” he added.