Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Abuja, Disu said the assignment before the committee was “significant and timely,” noting that Nigeria’s evolving security challenges demand innovative thinking, strategic collaboration and bold reforms.
“Nigeria’s evolving security challenges require innovative thinking, strategic collaboration and bold reforms to make policing more responsive to local realities,” he said.
The IGP explained that the committee is expected to develop a workable framework for the operation of state policing in Nigeria without undermining the national security structure. According to him, members will review existing policing models within and outside the country, assess community security needs, identify potential risks, and propose an operational structure for the establishment and coordination of state police systems.
“If properly designed and implemented, state policing could bring law enforcement closer to the people, enhance local knowledge of security dynamics, and enable quicker responses to emerging threats within communities,” Disu stated.
The IGP emphasized that decentralizing certain policing responsibilities would enable state governments and local authorities to respond more effectively to security challenges within their jurisdictions, while the Federal Government concentrates on broader national priorities.
“The vision we seek is one of synergy, not competition; partnership, not duplication,” he said, urging members to carry out their assignment with diligence, professionalism and patriotism.
The committee, which has four weeks to submit its report, is chaired by Prof. Olu Ogunsakin and includes CP Emmanuel Ojukwu (Rtd), CP Bode Ojajuni, DCP Okebuchi Ogora, ACP Ikechukwu Okafor, CSP Tolulope Ipinmisho and others.
Responding to concerns that state governors might hijack state police structures for political purposes, the IGP assured that such fears would be taken into consideration. He noted that Nigeria would draw from comparative studies of other countries operating state policing systems.
Meanwhile, senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force, including Deputy Inspectors-General (DIGs) who served under the immediate past IGP, Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, attended a strategic meeting convened by Disu in Abuja.
Among those present were DIGs Frank Mba, Sadiq Abubakar, Basil Idgwu, Bzigu Kwazhi, Gumel, Fayoade and Adeola Hamzat.
It was gathered that the Police Service Commission is yet to take a formal decision on the status of the affected officers, many of whom are senior to the new IGP. By tradition within the Force, senior officers are expected to retire once a junior officer is appointed above them.
However, as of the time of the meeting, no official announcement had been made regarding their retirement.
