Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has declared that the establishment of state police in Nigeria is inevitable as the country seeks new strategies to address rising security challenges. He also assured officers of the Nigeria Police Force that the proposed structure will not replace their roles but will instead strengthen national policing.
Disu made the remarks on Wednesday shortly after he was sworn in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Speaking to journalists after the ceremony, the police chief said the creation of state police would operate through collaboration with the existing national police structure. He stressed that officers of the Nigeria Police Force should not fear losing their jobs as the proposed system is designed to complement, not replace, the current policing framework.
He explained that modern policing increasingly relies on intelligence gathering and cooperation among security institutions. According to him, Nigeria’s security environment requires a coordinated approach that reflects both national and local realities.
Disu also addressed ongoing protests in parts of the country linked to tensions in the Middle East, stating that the police would handle such demonstrations professionally. He said officers have been deployed on patrol while authorities engage groups to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
The Inspector-General emphasised that the police must remain accountable to the public, noting that officers are ultimately responsible to Nigerian citizens. He added that improving welfare for personnel remains a priority, given the demanding nature of policing duties.
Disu revealed that a committee has been established to review and guide the implementation framework for state policing. The committee is expected to examine policing models within and outside Nigeria, assess community security needs, and develop operational guidelines for the proposed structure.
The body will also make recommendations on recruitment, training standards, resource allocation, and accountability systems aimed at maintaining professionalism and public trust.
Earlier in the day, the Inspector-General held his first strategic conference with senior officers at the Peacekeeping Conference Centre, Force Headquarters in Abuja. The meeting brought together key operational leaders of the Nigeria Police Force to discuss national security priorities and institutional reforms.
During the session, Disu directed senior officers to strengthen discipline within the force and uphold professional standards. He warned that the conduct of police personnel before, during, and after the 2027 general elections would play a major role in determining the credibility of the electoral process.
He also announced plans to strengthen internal accountability mechanisms, including the Complaints Response Unit and the X-Squad, to ensure officers operate within the law.
Disu reiterated that the proposed state police system is intended to enhance security coordination across the country and bring law enforcement closer to local communities, while maintaining the central role of the Nigeria Police Force in national security operations.
