A former Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption and legal scholar Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN) has called for the urgent establishment of state police in Nigeria.
He described it as a key measure to tackle the country’s escalating insecurity.
Sagay noted that Nigeria has long relied solely on a federal police system, which he said has struggled to respond effectively to criminal attacks.
He argued that giving states the authority to operate their own police forces would allow for quicker and more efficient security responses.
Speaking in an interview with Arise TV on Friday, Sagay said, “State police is the answer to Nigeria’s security crisis. If this can be amended to allow states to establish their own police forces, then the fight against all these bandits and murderers and so on will be firmer, will be more successful, and the safety of Nigerians will be better guaranteed.”
He recalled that northern politicians had historically opposed the idea, slowing progress on the matter.
“Some of us have been campaigning and conversing for this for years. And it’s been the Northern brothers who were against it for reasons which I don’t know. So I’m glad that we now have a president who is keen on having it,” Sagay said.
He noted that states which desire their own police should not be blocked.
Sagay also highlighted the potential role of state revenues in funding these forces. “Since the removal of subsidy, the governors have been flushed with money. And I don’t know whether, in fact, they have used these excess funds properly. I have not seen any important thing that has been done, any changes in our environment, which is consistent with such a huge inflow of fresh funds. So they might as well spend it on establishing a police force for each of the states,” he said.
On the management of state police, Sagay recommended that forces be under the control of state governors, who serve as chief security officers in their states.
He acknowledged the risk of abuse but emphasised the strength of civil society as a check.
“Any abuse of powers by state governors will be met with fierce challenges. I know there will be some abuse, knowing the nature of Nigerian politicians. But I think they can be checkmated, they can be exposed and embarrassed and also can be taken to court if they abuse the powers that they have under the state police system,” he said.
Sagay criticised the federal police for slow response times during attacks, saying the delays allow criminals to escape and cause minimal disruption to their operations.
“You have an attack, and then ten hours after, when the criminals have long gone and settled wherever they are, security arrives and is of no use to anybody,” he said, urging the adoption of modern tracking technology similar to that used in developed countries to identify and intercept criminals proactively.
He expressed confidence that constitutional amendments enabling state police could proceed swiftly with the backing of governors and the National Assembly, which he said has largely aligned with presidential priorities in the past.
Sagay concluded that the creation of state police would not only improve response times but also provide a more robust and locally accountable system to fight insecurity nationwide.
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