RULAAC to State Police Committee: Build strong safeguards before decentralising policing

Stanley Ihedigbo

As Nigeria intensifies discussions on restructuring its policing system, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has urged the Federal Government to embed strong constitutional safeguards, democratic oversight and professional standards in any framework establishing State Police.

According to the Executive Director, RULAAC, Com. Okechukwu Nwanguma, the call forms the core of a detailed memorandum submitted to the State Police Implementation Committee, inaugurated by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Ridwan Disu.

Nigeria has for decades debated the creation of State Police as a response to growing insecurity, rising crime rates and persistent complaints that the highly centralised structure of the Nigeria Police Force is unable to effectively respond to local security challenges across the country.

While acknowledging the urgency of reform, RULAAC warned that decentralising policing without proper safeguards could deepen political abuse and undermine democratic institutions.

In a memorandum addressed to the committee, the organisation’s Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, described the establishment of the implementation committee as an important step in Nigeria’s long-running debate on decentralised policing.

However, he stressed that creating State Police alone will not resolve the country’s complex security challenges unless it is firmly anchored on constitutionalism, professionalism and human rights protection.

“Nigeria does not merely need more police institutions. It needs democratic policing,” Nwanguma said.

Nigeria’s security landscape has deteriorated in recent years, with communities across different regions grappling with banditry, kidnapping, communal conflicts and violent crime.

These realities have intensified calls for policing structures that are closer to communities and more responsive to local threats.

Yet, analysts warn that without institutional safeguards, state-controlled police forces could easily become tools for political intimidation.

One of the strongest concerns raised by RULAAC is the potential for governors to misuse State Police for partisan purposes.

To prevent this, the organisation recommended that the appointment and removal of State Commissioners of Police should not be controlled solely by state governors.

Instead, it proposed that nominations should pass through independent commissions and be confirmed by state legislatures, with removal only possible through defined legal procedures.

According to RULAAC, this system would help insulate policing from direct political interference and strengthen democratic accountability.

Nigeria’s history of political policing, particularly during military rule and periods of intense political rivalry, has made many civil society organisations cautious about decentralising coercive power without robust checks and balances.

The memorandum also emphasised the need for uniform national standards that every state must follow in operating its police service.

These standards should include clear guidelines on recruitment, training, use-of-force rules, disciplinary processes and operational conduct.

RULAAC argued that without a national framework, disparities between states could lead to uneven professionalism and potential abuse.

The organisation further recommended clear jurisdictional boundaries between the federal police and any future state police forces to prevent operational conflicts.

Mechanisms for joint operations, intelligence sharing and dispute resolution should also be codified in law.

Another critical recommendation is the establishment of independent oversight institutions at both the state and federal levels.

RULAAC proposed the creation of State Police Service Commissions with a majority civilian membership and secure tenure for their members.

These bodies would oversee recruitment, promotions and disciplinary actions.
The group also called for independent civilian complaint boards where citizens can report abuses by police officers.
Such boards, it said, should have powers to subpoena records, recommend prosecution and publish investigative findings.

At the national level, RULAAC suggested a federal oversight coordination body similar in concept to the supervisory role played by the National Judicial Council in the judiciary.

The advocacy group also warned against excessive militarisation of State Police forces.

To address this, it is recommended that access to weapons should remain regulated through federal licensing approval, with clear restrictions on weapon calibre and greater emphasis on non-lethal policing equipment.

According to the memorandum, such measures would reduce the risks of arms proliferation and misuse.

Reforming the Current Police Structure
Beyond the debate over State Police, RULAAC stressed that urgent reforms are needed within the existing policing system.

The organisation called for the publication of a costed annual policing plan, digital case and custody management systems and stronger internal accountability mechanisms.

It also urged the police to enforce a zero-tolerance policy against torture and extortion, which have long been among the most persistent complaints against law enforcement.

Another recommendation was the withdrawal of excessive police deployments for VIP protection to free personnel for core policing duties.
“Structural reform without cultural reform will fail,” the memorandum stated.

Protecting Human Rights and Civic Space
RULAAC further insisted that any State Police framework must contain explicit protections for journalists, civil society organisations and whistleblowers.

It recommended mandatory body-worn cameras in certain operational contexts and the publication of arrest and detention statistics to improve transparency.

These measures, the group said, would help strengthen public trust and ensure accountability.

Phased Implementation Recommended
Rather than launching State Police nationwide immediately, RULAAC advised a phased and evidence-based approach.
Pilot programmes in selected states could test oversight mechanisms, evaluate financial sustainability and assess human rights impacts before nationwide expansion.

Independent evaluation reports should guide the next stages of implementation, the organisation added.

The memorandum also cautioned that policing alone cannot solve Nigeria’s security challenges.

According to RULAAC, insecurity is closely tied to deeper socio-economic problems, including poverty, unemployment, inequality, corruption and weak justice institutions.

Addressing these underlying issues, the organisation argued, must remain part of any long-term national security strategy.
For Nigeria, the debate over State Police represents a defining moment in the evolution of its federal system.

Advocates believe decentralised policing could improve response time, strengthen community engagement and deepen federalism. Critics, however, warn that without adequate safeguards, it could empower state executives to weaponise policing against political opponents.

RULAAC says the success of the reform will ultimately depend not on its announcement but on the strength of the safeguards embedded in its design.
As Nigeria moves forward with discussions on policing reform, the organisation insists that the ultimate goal must be clear: building a policing system that protects citizens, respects rights and operates within democratic norms.

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