President Bola Tinubu has declared that the establishment of state police is inevitable as part of measures to strengthen security across Nigeria.
The President’s position has been welcomed by regional socio-political and cultural groups including Afenifere, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), and the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), which have long championed state policing.
Tinubu made the remark on Tuesday while receiving a delegation of prominent Katsina indigenes, led by Governor Dikko Radda, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He reiterated the commitment on Wednesday during a meeting with governors of the North-East.
The President said the Federal Government is determined to confront insecurity head-on and directed security agencies to reassess their operations in Katsina State, which has recorded fresh attacks by bandits. He disclosed that advanced military equipment, including drones, as well as newly recruited forest guards, would be deployed to boost security.
“The security challenges we are facing are surmountable. Yes, we have porous borders. We inherited weaknesses that could have been addressed earlier, but it is a challenge we must fix. I have directed all the security agencies to energise further. We have approved additional acquisition of drones,” Tinubu said.
He added: “I am reviewing all aspects of security. I have to create state police. We are looking at that holistically. We will defeat insecurity. We must protect our children, our people, our livelihood, our places of worship, and our recreational spaces. They can’t intimidate us.”
Tinubu reminded his visitors that in February 2024, the Federal Government set up a committee to study the framework for state policing.
The President also paid tribute to former President Muhammadu Buhari, assuring that his legacy would be preserved.
“He didn’t hand over a defeated country, a battered political structure, but a legacy of success. That is the most important thing,” Tinubu said.
