The National Executive Council (NEC) has confirmed receiving reports from the 36 state governors regarding the creation of state police across Nigeria.
This was disclosed by Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani during a briefing at the end of the 146th NEC meeting, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Thursday in Abuja.
Governor Sani noted that the governors collectively support the idea of establishing state police as a strategy to address the country’s security challenges.
“Today, one of the discussions we had at the NEC meeting was the update on the creation of state police. As you are aware, there was a submission by States toward the establishment of state police.
He explained that reports from the governors indicate that nearly all states back the initiative.
“Today, about 36 states have already made their submission for establishing state police in Nigeria. And I can say here that from what is available, virtually most of the states are in agreement with the establishment of state police in Nigeria.
“The council decided to step down the discussion until we receive a report from the secretariat. After that, there will be deliberation at the next NEC meeting,” he said.
However, NEC resolved to defer further discussions until it receives a comprehensive report from its secretariat.
Governor Sani also referred to an earlier resolution calling for more stakeholder engagement to refine the proposal.
He stressed the importance of considering the unique security needs of each state, citing challenges such as ungoverned spaces and insufficient personnel within existing security agencies.
“Considering the fact that virtually every state has their peculiarity in terms of the problem we are having of insecurity in our own states.
“Knowing fully well that we have a lot of ungoverned space in Nigeria, and also that we have a lot of deficit in terms of number of boots on ground, looking at the fact that a lot of security agencies, the police, the army and other relevant security agencies have no personnel to cover all the ungoverned spaces, that is the reason why most of us agreed that establishment of state police in Nigeria is the way forward toward addressing the problem insecurity in our own country,” he explained.
Further deliberations on the proposal will take place at the next NEC meeting following the secretariat’s report.
