A sharp disagreement broke out between the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly over the proposal to establish state police in Nigeria.
The clash happened during a two-day national dialogue on state policing and constitutional amendments, organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Review in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Abuja.
Egbetokun strongly opposed the creation of state police, saying it goes against the 1999 Constitution, which only allows for a single Nigerian Police Force under Section 214(1). He explained that current security challenges can be addressed by strengthening the existing national police rather than creating new forces.
The IGP warned that state police could lead to political interference, uneven development among states, and fragmentation of national security. Instead, he called for increased funding for the police, clearer command structures, better intelligence sharing, and a legal framework to support community policing.
In contrast, the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers, Adebo Ogundoyin, backed the move for state police. He argued that the growing insecurity across Nigeria—such as insurgency, banditry, kidnappings, and communal clashes—requires localised policing for faster and more effective responses.
Ogundoyin said that state police, with proper checks and constitutional safeguards, would help states respond better to their specific security issues. He emphasized that decentralizing the police system would not threaten national unity if properly managed.
The debate is part of ongoing efforts to amend the constitution, with bills already before the National Assembly proposing the creation of state police. Lawmakers are expected to consider inputs from stakeholders before taking a final decision.
The discussion reflects the divide between those calling for a more localised approach to policing and those who believe in strengthening the current centralised structure.
