NGO says decentralised policing will strengthen intelligence gathering, community trust and response to insecurity
By Joy Omagha Idam
The Anti-Kidnapping, Human Trafficking, Child Abuse and Drug Abuse (AKH-TRACADA) has backed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proposal to establish state police, saying the initiative could strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and improve public safety.
The organisation, in a statement issued Tuesday in Abuja and signed by its Founder and National Coordinator, Primate Belonwu Ezeanyaeche, said decentralised policing could enable states to respond more effectively to security threats peculiar to their respective environments.
AKH-TRACADA said the proposal was a significant opportunity to reform Nigeria’s policing system, particularly at a time when the country continues to confront kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, human trafficking, child abuse and drug-related crimes.
The organisation said state police, if established within a clear constitutional and legal framework, could enhance intelligence gathering, improve response times and strengthen collaboration between security agencies and local communities.
According to the statement, bringing certain policing responsibilities closer to the people could enable states to better understand and tackle security challenges within their jurisdictions while complementing the responsibilities of the Nigeria Police Force and other federal security agencies.
“A locally accountable police service has the potential to improve crime prevention, strengthen public trust, and promote more effective community policing,” AKH-TRACADA stated.
However, the organisation warned that the establishment of state police must be accompanied by strong safeguards to prevent political interference, human rights violations and abuse of power.
It called for clear constitutional provisions, independent oversight mechanisms, professional recruitment and training standards, transparent funding arrangements and effective accountability measures.
AKH-TRACADA stressed that professionalism, respect for citizens’ rights and institutional accountability must remain central to the proposed system.
The organisation also called for broad consultations involving the Federal Government, state governments, the National Assembly, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, security experts and citizens.
It said such consultations would be critical to developing a state policing structure that reflects Nigeria’s federal system while preserving national unity and constitutional principles.
AKH-TRACADA further noted that an effective state police system could have economic benefits by creating a more secure environment for businesses, investors and communities.
“A well-designed state police framework can complement existing federal institutions, improve coordination among security agencies, and contribute to a safer environment that supports economic growth, investment, and sustainable development,” it said.
The organisation’s position follows President Tinubu’s transmission of an Executive Bill to the House of Representatives seeking constitutional amendments to establish state police.
The proposed legislation, titled “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (Police Bill) 2026,” seeks to provide the constitutional framework for decentralised policing in the country.
Tinubu has urged the lawmakers to expedite consideration of the proposal, describing decentralised policing as an important pillar of his administration’s security reform agenda.
AKH-TRACADA said it would continue to support reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to protect lives and property.
The organisation, however, maintained that the success of state police would ultimately depend on adequate legal safeguards, effective oversight, transparent funding and a firm commitment to professionalism.
“With appropriate legal safeguards, adequate oversight, and a commitment to professionalism, the establishment of state police can become an important milestone in building a more secure and resilient nation,” the organisation concluded.