Former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, has thrown his weight behind the creation of state police in Nigeria.
He described the security reforms under Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a positive step toward addressing the country’s security challenges.
Concerns that governors could misuse state police were dismissed as overstated and not unique to the proposed system.
Local security outfits—such as vigilantes and neighbourhood watches already function as informal state policing structures across the country.
According to him, the priority should be proper regulation and strengthening of these existing grassroots security systems.
A well-structured state police system, he argued, would boost accountability, professionalism, and efficiency.
The remarks were made during a discussion of his intention to contest the governorship of Nasarawa State.
If properly implemented, decentralized policing could significantly enhance Nigeria’s overall security framework.
