By Rabiu Sanusi
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International (TI) Nigeria has expressed concern over critical gaps in the recently passed constitutional amendment bill on State Policing, warning that without stronger safeguards, sustainable funding, and effective accountability mechanisms, the reform could create new opportunities for political abuse, weaken public trust, and deepen inequalities in security provision across Nigeria.
In a statement signed by the Executive Director of CISLAC and Head of Transparency International Nigeria, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the organisation acknowledged that while decentralised policing could improve intelligence gathering, strengthen community trust, and enhance responses to local security threats, the creation of State Police alone would not solve Nigeria’s security challenges without comprehensive legal, institutional, financial, and governance reforms.
CISLAC/TI Nigeria urged that these concerns be addressed before the bill is ratified by the 36 State Houses of Assembly and assented to by the President.
The organisation identified political interference as one of its major concerns, warning that without constitutional guarantees for operational independence and effective oversight, State Police formations could be manipulated by governors and political actors to suppress opposition, intimidate journalists and civil society organisations, silence critics, and influence electoral outcomes.
It also called for transparent, merit-based, and independently verified recruitment processes, insisting that political appointees, partisan loyalists, political thugs, and other politically exposed persons must not be absorbed into State Police formations if professionalism and public confidence are to be maintained.
CISLAC/TI Nigeria further expressed concern over the varying financial capacities of state governments, noting that many states already struggle to meet basic obligations such as salary and pension payments.
It warned that without sustainable funding mechanisms and adequate administrative structures, some states may be unable to recruit, train, equip, and retain qualified personnel, resulting in a two-tier policing system where wealthier states enjoy better security while poorer states are left with underfunded and ineffective police forces vulnerable to corruption and operational failure.
Beyond funding, the organisation stressed that state governments must possess the administrative and technical capacity to manage modern police organisations, including effective human resource management, disciplinary systems, intelligence coordination, and compliance with national professional standards.
The organisation also observed that the bill’s oversight and accountability provisions require significant strengthening.
It advocated for independent supervision, transparent recruitment, comprehensive human rights training, effective complaint and disciplinary mechanisms, enforceable sanctions for misconduct, and clear frameworks for intelligence sharing between State Police and federal security agencies.
According to CISLAC/TI Nigeria, State Police should not merely replicate existing policing structures but should be equipped to address emerging security threats through investment in forensic investigations, cybercrime capabilities, digital intelligence, surveillance technology, specialised response units, continuous professional development, and meaningful community engagement.
The organisation cautioned against viewing State Police as an immediate solution to Nigeria’s security challenges, noting that establishing effective police formations would require considerable time. It therefore urged the Federal Government to continue strengthening existing security institutions through improved intelligence sharing, enhanced community policing, better welfare for security personnel, increased investment in technology-driven policing, and stronger accountability mechanisms during the transition period.
Rafsanjani stated that while State Policing has the potential to improve local responses to insecurity, inadequate safeguards could undermine the objectives of the reform.
“State policing holds immense potential to enhance local responsiveness to insecurity, but without ironclad safeguards, it risks becoming a new frontier for abuse and fragmentation. We urge the 36 State Houses of Assembly, Governors, and the Presidency to prioritise the public interest by addressing these concerns decisively.
“True security reform must serve the people, not entrench elite power,” he said.
CISLAC/TI Nigeria called on State Houses of Assembly to conduct extensive public hearings and strengthen the proposed framework during the ratification process.
The organisation specifically recommended greater independence for State Police Service Commissions, dedicated funding mechanisms insulated from political interference, transparent procurement procedures, mandatory independent audits, and the adoption of minimum national standards for recruitment, training, operations, welfare, accountability, transparency, and human rights compliance across all states.
It also urged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to establish a multi-stakeholder transitional committee to oversee phased implementation, monitor compliance, and regularly assess the impact of the reform to ensure consistency, professionalism, and accountability nationwide.
CISLAC/TI Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to working with the National Assembly, state legislatures, executive authorities, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, labour unions, the media, and the private sector to ensure that any State Policing framework delivers accountable, transparent, effective, rights-based, citizen-centred, and equitable security for all Nigerians.