President can intervene if governors abuse state police – Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin has said the proposed state police framework includes constitutional safeguards that would allow the president to intervene if governors misuse the outfit.

Speaking during Hannu Da Yawa, a live Hausa programme on Radio Nigeria Kaduna, Barau, who chairs the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, described President Bola Tinubu’s push for state police as a “masterstroke” aimed at tackling Nigeria’s long-standing security challenges.

He explained that the executive bill followed extensive consultations involving the presidency, the National Assembly, the Inspector-General of Police, retired police officers, security experts, governors, civil society organisations and members of the public. According to him, the proposal also underwent public hearings across the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory.

Barau said the proposed framework was designed to address concerns that state police could be abused for political or ethnic purposes. “President Tinubu carefully studied the situation and discovered that while many Nigerians support state police, there are fears that it could be abused or misused for political or ethnic purposes. That is why safeguards have been built into the system,” he said.

He added that the proposal contains legal protections and institutional checks to prevent abuse. “If state police is used for intimidation or actions that threaten lives and property, the president has the constitutional authority to intervene and direct the federal police to take over,” Barau said.

According to him, state police would complement, rather than replace, the Nigeria Police Force. He noted that officers recruited from local communities would have better knowledge of the terrain and local criminal networks, improving responses to banditry, kidnapping and other security threats.

“State police operatives, who will be recruited from local communities, know the people, the terrain and even the criminals. This will significantly improve our response to banditry, kidnapping and other crimes. The north stands to benefit significantly. This initiative is designed to bring lasting peace to the worst-hit areas,” he said.

Barau said the Nigeria Police Force would continue to handle national security issues such as terrorism and cybercrime, while state police would focus on internal security and public order. He also stated that state police commandants would be appointed through a rigorous process and protected by law from undue political interference.

While acknowledging concerns over funding and operational capacity, Barau said appropriate financial and operational frameworks would be developed as the constitutional amendment process progresses. He also expressed confidence that state Houses of Assembly would support the initiative. “We must re-engineer our security architecture to better protect lives and property while guarding against abuse. This is a balanced, consultative initiative built on safeguards and aimed at bringing policing closer to the people,” he added.