Afenifere, Ohanaeze, Arewa Youths Back State Police

The long-standing debate over the establishment of state police in Nigeria has gained renewed momentum, with prominent socio-cultural groups—Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Arewa youth organizations—publicly endorsing the initiative while calling for strong safeguards against abuse.

The renewed advocacy follows a meeting held on February 15, 2024, between President Bola Tinubu and state governors in Abuja, where the feasibility of introducing state police was extensively discussed. While the dialogue raised hopes among many Nigerians seeking solutions to worsening insecurity, concerns persist over the potential misuse of state-controlled police forces by governors.

Proponents of state police argue that the centrally controlled Nigeria Police Force is overstretched and ill-equipped to effectively police a population of over 230 million people across diverse and complex terrains. Opponents, however, warn that state police could be weaponized for political intimidation and electoral manipulation.

The proposed State Police Constitution Alteration Bill is currently before the National Assembly and is among 44 harmonised bills awaiting consideration and voting by both chambers. Reports suggest the Senate and House of Representatives may vote on the bill soon before forwarding it to state Houses of Assembly for approval.

Speaking on behalf of Afenifere, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, said Nigeria is “ripe enough” for the establishment of state police, dismissing fears that governors would inevitably abuse such powers. He argued that governors cannot effectively perform their roles as chief security officers of their states without control over security structures.

Ajayi, however, emphasized the need for clear legal provisions to prevent politicization and abuse. He also urged the Federal Government to identify, name and prosecute individuals financing terrorism and banditry, noting that insecurity would not have reached its current scale without support from influential figures. He praised efforts by the National Assembly to strengthen anti-terrorism laws, describing tougher penalties for convicted terrorists as justified given the magnitude of lives and property lost.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide also expressed conditional support for state police. Its factional Deputy President General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, warned that without comprehensive police reforms and strict oversight mechanisms, some governors—particularly in the North—could exploit state police to manipulate elections, including attempts to undermine President Tinubu’s political future in 2027.

Isiguzoro cited what he described as persistent attempts by some governors to undermine local government autonomy as a sign of potential abuse, stressing that insecurity has severely damaged Nigeria’s international reputation. He called on the National Assembly to ensure robust reforms that would prevent state police from becoming instruments of political subversion.

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) also backed the creation of state police, describing it as a practical response to Nigeria’s varied security challenges, including insurgency in the northeast, banditry in the northwest and communal clashes in the middle belt.

AYCF President, Alhaji Shettima Yerima, said decentralized policing would allow for tailored security responses, improve community trust and enhance cooperation between citizens and law enforcement. He noted that officers drawn from local communities would better understand local dynamics and cultural sensitivities.

While acknowledging concerns over politicization, Yerima stressed the importance of a strong accountability and oversight framework. He called for independent monitoring bodies, clear operational guidelines and defined federal oversight to ensure professionalism, protect citizens’ rights and prevent abuse of power.

The groups agreed that with effective legal safeguards and accountability structures, state police could significantly strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture rather than undermine it.

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