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Pix: Dr James Udoma, Commandant General, Vigilante Group of Nigeria <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Isiaka Mustapha, Editor-in-Chief, People’s Security Monitor<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Governors across Nigeria are strengthening existing community security outfits, recruiting and training personnel, appointing commanders and upgrading operational structures as preparations for the proposed establishment of state police gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The developments are unfolding even as the constitutional amendment required to establish state police remains incomplete, leaving uncertainty over when the proposed decentralised policing system will become operational.Investigations across several states indicate that some governments are positioning existing vigilance organisations as potential foundations for state police, while others are expanding community security operations without formally announcing plans to convert them into state controlled police services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The renewed activities have raised important questions about recruitment standards, funding, operational authority, command structures and safeguards against political interference, particularly as the country approaches another election cycle.The constitutional amendment transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly on September 16 had received approval from five states, Edo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers and Zamfara, as of October 15, according to the information available in the report.Under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the proposed alteration requires approval from at least two thirds of the State Houses of Assembly, meaning 24 states, before the constitutional amendment process can be completed.Meanwhile, the Presidency has indicated that the proposed National Policing Bill is nearing completion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the legislation, reportedly said the bill was about 90 per cent ready for transmission to the National Assembly, with further consultations required to resolve outstanding issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite the incomplete legislative process, several states have continued to strengthen their existing security organisations.In Kaduna State, the government has identified the Kaduna State Vigilance Service as a possible foundation for state policing. Commissioner for Internal Security Sule Shu\u2019aibu said the government had reviewed the law governing the organisation, developed operational procedures and trained approximately 300 personnel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The state’s revised 2024 budget also reportedly allocated \u20a649.95 million for uniforms.Plateau State has established a 14 member committee chaired by retired Deputy Inspector General of Police Habila Joshak to develop a framework for state policing. The committee, inaugurated on March 10, has conducted consultations across the state’s three senatorial districts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The government is also considering the possible role of Operation Rainbow, which graduated 1,450 operatives in December 2025.In Taraba State, the government has strengthened its Marshall security outfit by appointing commanders across the 16 local government areas and two special development areas. It has also provided operational vehicles, introduced uniforms and approved outstanding allowances for personnel, while arrangements to integrate operatives into the civil service payroll have commenced.Imo State has also expanded its community security structure. Governor Hope Uzodimma inaugurated 7,000 vigilance personnel in January following training at the Police College in Nekede. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The operatives reportedly receive monthly payments ranging from \u20a6100,000 to \u20a6130,000. Questions surrounding the reported provision of firearms to some personnel underline the importance of clear legal authorisation, proper training and effective supervision.In Delta State, the government continues to support Operation Delta Sweep, which evolved from the Delta Hawk security initiative. The State Executive Council reportedly approved \u20a634 billion in March for the construction of 25 divisional police headquarters. However, the infrastructure investment does not, by itself, establish a formal transition plan towards state police.Benue State has expanded its community protection arrangements through the Civil Protection Guards, launched in December 2024 with 5,000 personnel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The government has indicated plans to recruit another 5,000 operatives and has commenced stakeholder consultations on the proposed policing arrangement.In Zamfara State, the Community Protection Guards, popularly known as Askarawa, have continued to operate under an existing legal framework established in 2024. The outfit recently received a new commandant, retired Assistant Inspector General of Police Muhammad Shehu. Although it is not yet a state police service, its existing personnel and command structure could feature in future security reforms.Bayelsa State maintains its Community Safety Corps under legislation enacted in 2021. The organisation operates with designated uniforms and security equipment, while its coordinator, Brigadier General Eric Angaye, was reportedly screened for another four year tenure.Akwa Ibom State has established the Ibom Community Watch and incorporated 2,277 village youth presidents into its security arrangements. However, the government has not confirmed whether members of the organisation would be absorbed into a future state police service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Enugu State, the government has strengthened the leadership of its Forest Guard by appointing retired Colonel Dan Didiugwu as chairman and a retired deputy commissioner of police as commander. The state also operates an artificial intelligence enabled Command and Control Centre intended to support surveillance, intelligence gathering and coordinated security responses.Ebonyi State operates a Neighbourhood Security Network with 1,365 personnel, including 105 operatives in each of its 13 local government areas. The organisation emerged after the earlier Ebubeagu security outfit was proscribed by a court. Its commander, Nwenyi Chiboyi, has emphasised that state police should not be used against political opponents.In Niger State, the government has consolidated several local security organisations, including Abi Doka and neighbourhood watch groups, into a Special Vigilante Corps. Established in 2021 and strengthened in 2024, the arrangement includes operational structures at state, local government and emirate levels.Across the South West, the Amotekun security network is attracting attention as a possible foundation for state policing. Ondo State continues to support its Amotekun Corps, while reports suggest that governments in the region are considering how existing structures could be adapted to a decentralised policing arrangement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lagos State’s Neighbourhood Safety Agency has also expressed readiness to align its operations with the proposed system, while stressing that a clear legal mandate would be necessary before any transition.Kogi State faces questions about whether existing vigilantes would meet the recruitment and professional standards required for a formal police service. Sources cited in the original report suggested that many of the state’s approximately 2,500 vigilantes might require replacement or additional training. Governor Usman Ododo reportedly absorbed 1,050 vigilance personnel into the civil service in May, while further arrangements for recruitment and accommodation were being considered.In Rivers State, the government maintains a Neighbourhood Watch arrangement, but no comprehensive transition plan was established in the material reviewed. Although the State House of Assembly has approved the constitutional amendment, the details of any future state police structure remain unclear.Similarly, the available information did not establish a verified state police recruitment or restructuring programme in Nasarawa State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cross River continues to rely on existing security initiatives, including Operation Okwok, without a confirmed transition bill identified in the material reviewed.The Federal Capital Territory presents a separate constitutional and administrative question because arrangements for policing Abuja would depend on the legal provisions governing the territory under the eventual framework.Taken together, the developments reveal different levels of preparedness among state governments. While some have identified existing security outfits as possible starting points, others are concentrating on improving community protection, and several have yet to announce clear transition plans.The financial implications of state policing will also be significant. Establishing a professional police service requires more than uniforms, vehicles and salaries. States would need to provide training institutions, communications equipment, forensic facilities, intelligence systems, detention infrastructure and independent oversight mechanisms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recruitment presents another challenge. Existing vigilance groups include volunteers and community recruits whose qualifications and training may not meet the standards required for professional policing. Any transition would therefore need transparent recruitment procedures, background checks, professional training and clear disciplinary rules.Coordination between federal and state police services would also be essential, particularly in investigations involving multiple states, cross border criminal networks and intelligence sharing. The eventual legal framework must clearly define jurisdiction, operational responsibilities and mechanisms for resolving disputes between the different levels of policing.Political interference remains one of the major concerns surrounding decentralised policing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although supporters argue that state police could improve local responses to insecurity, critics have raised questions about the possibility of governors influencing recruitment, deployment and investigations for political purposes.To address these concerns, the proposed framework would need effective safeguards, including transparent appointments, independent complaints mechanisms, professional standards, accountable funding and protection against the misuse of security personnel.With the 2027 general elections approaching, the key issue is whether the ongoing preparations will translate into a properly regulated policing system capable of improving public safety while protecting citizens’ rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ultimately, the future of state police will depend not only on the willingness of governors to strengthen their security structures but also on the completion of the constitutional process, the passage of enabling legislation and the establishment of safeguards that guarantee professionalism, accountability and political neutrality.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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