February 26, 2026
Report by SUNTV Global Channel
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on the Nigerian Senate to urgently begin constitutional amendments that would pave the way for the creation of state police, describing the move as critical to tackling the country’s worsening insecurity.
The president made the appeal on Wednesday evening while hosting senators at the State House in Abuja during an Iftar meeting focused on national security challenges and cooperation between the executive and legislature.
Tinubu stressed that decentralising policing would help authorities reclaim forests from armed groups, curb terrorism and banditry, and restore public confidence in safety across Nigeria.
“What I will ask for tonight is for you to start thinking about how best to amend the Constitution to incorporate state police for us to secure our country,” the president told lawmakers.
“We must take over our forests from marauders and free our children from fear.”
Nigeria has continued to face multiple security threats, including bandit attacks in the North-West, insurgency in the North-East, frequent kidnappings along highways, and violent assaults on rural communities — all of which have intensified calls for reform of the centrally controlled policing system.
During his remarks, Tinubu also responded to criticism from political opponents, noting that scrutiny is part of leadership.
“Critics must talk. When they accused me of killing the opposition, I didn’t have a gun,” he said.
The president further commented on ongoing political defections, stating that he could not blame politicians for leaving struggling parties.
“I can’t fault anyone for jumping out of a sinking ship,” Tinubu added, urging unity among political leaders to strengthen democracy and confront insecurity collectively.
Supporters of state policing argue that local control would improve intelligence gathering and response time to crimes. However, critics warn that without strong safeguards, governors could misuse state police for political purposes.
For the proposal to become law, the National Assembly must secure broad legislative approval for constitutional amendments, followed by ratification from state assemblies nationwide.
— SUNTV Global Channel
