By SUNTV Global Channel News Desk
ABUJA, Nigeria | Thursday, August 6, 2026
The Movement for Improved Welfare for Nigeria Police Force (MIWNPF) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to withhold assent to the proposed State Police Bill, arguing that the legislation was passed by the National Assembly without adequate public consultation or stakeholder engagement.
In a statement signed by the group’s National Coordinator, Toyin Raheem Prince, MIWNPF described the legislative process as lacking transparency, insisting that a bill with significant implications for Nigeria’s security architecture should not become law without broad national debate.
The organisation said it was excluded from the legislative process alongside several civil society organisations that have actively contributed to police reform and security sector development in Nigeria.
According to MIWNPF, Nigerians were denied the opportunity to make submissions or participate in public hearings before lawmakers approved the bill.
The group warned that establishing state police under the country’s current political climate could expose the security system to abuse by state governments, including the intimidation of political opponents, electoral manipulation and the settling of political disputes.
MIWNPF further argued that Nigeria already operates several regional and state-backed security outfits, including Amotekun in the South-West, Ebubeagu in the South-East, Hisbah in parts of the North, community policing initiatives and various vigilante groups. It cautioned that introducing another policing structure without harmonising existing security agencies could create duplication of responsibilities, rivalry and operational conflicts.
The organisation also questioned the necessity of creating state police when every state already has a Commissioner of Police overseeing federal policing operations.
Drawing comparisons with countries such as the United States and Germany, MIWNPF stated that decentralised policing succeeds only where democratic institutions, judicial independence, financial autonomy and accountability mechanisms are firmly established.
The group maintained that Nigeria’s policing challenges stem primarily from inadequate funding, poor welfare, insufficient equipment, weak accountability systems and political interference rather than the absence of state police.
Instead of establishing state police, MIWNPF urged the Federal Government to prioritise comprehensive reforms of the Nigeria Police Force by increasing funding, improving officers’ welfare, providing modern operational equipment, strengthening training programmes, expanding forensic capabilities, enhancing ICT infrastructure and eliminating political interference in policing.
The organisation also criticised the National Assembly over the manner in which the bill was passed, alleging that Nigerians were not given the opportunity to participate in discussions on a matter of national importance.
MIWNPF called on President Tinubu to decline assent to the bill and urged the National Assembly to organise a nationwide public hearing involving security experts, civil society organisations and other stakeholders before any final decision is taken.
The group maintained that meaningful police reform should focus on strengthening existing institutions rather than creating additional policing structures without the necessary legal, financial and institutional safeguards.
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