Northern governors have reaffirmed their strong support for creating state police, calling it vital to tackle insecurity.
They stressed lawmakers must act quickly, as the final decision now rests with the National Assembly.
The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has restated its full backing for the creation of state police, describing it as a necessary step to confront the worsening security crisis in the region and across the country.
Isma’ila Uba Misilli, spokesperson for the forum’s chairman and Gombe State governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, explained on Thursday that all 19 northern governors had earlier endorsed the proposal during a joint session with traditional rulers in Kaduna.
According to him, the governors had already urged lawmakers to move quickly on the matter. “The decision now rests with the National Assembly, because the governors have done their part. They are completely in favor of establishing state police,” Misilli said.
The renewed endorsement follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s pledge to include state policing in his broader security reforms, as well as mounting pressure from northern groups demanding urgent action. Recently, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) warned that many northern communities feel abandoned and may be forced to defend themselves, while the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) called for a national emergency on security.
Despite broad consensus on the need for decentralized policing, debates continue about how it would function. The ACF, while offering cautious support, emphasized that constitutional procedures must be respected to prevent abuse. Its publicity secretary, Prof. T. A. Muhammad-Baba, also raised concerns about funding, asking how states struggling with workers’ salaries would finance armed police officers.
He further warned that the system must not become a tool for governors to target rivals. Former Kaduna senator Shehu Sani echoed this sentiment, suggesting that those advocating for state police may later discover the pitfalls once the system is implemented.
Similarly, Anthony Sani, a former ACF secretary general, opposed the idea outright, insisting that unless new officers are properly trained, equipped, and motivated, state police would mirror the inefficiencies of the existing federal structure.
While the debate continues, the NSGF’s position aligns with the presidency, leaving the final decision in the hands of the National Assembly, which must amend the constitution before the system can take effect.
