President Bola Tinubu has announced plans to establish state police as a strategic response to Nigeria’s growing insecurity, delivering the commitment during a courtesy visit by Katsina state leaders at the presidential villa in Abuja on September 3, 2025, signaling a significant policy shift.

During the meeting with a delegation led by Governor Dikko Radda, Tinubu addressed a recent surge in banditry in Katsina, instructing security agencies to reevaluate their operational strategies.

The President further confirmed the deployment of advanced military hardware, including drones and surveillance technology, and outlined plans to enhance the capabilities of newly recruited forest guards. “I am reviewing all aspects of security; I have to create state police. We are looking at that holistically,” Tinubu stated.

“We will defeat insecurity. We must protect our children, our people, our livelihood, our places of worship, and our recreational spaces. They can’t intimidate us.” - President Tinubu.

This initiative follows a February 15, 2024, decision to establish a committee to assess state policing frameworks, with Information Minister Mohammed Idris confirming consensus between Tinubu and state governors on implementation modalities.

The proposal receives backing from key regional bodies - Afenifere’s Oba Olu Falae, a former Secretary to the Government, deemed it “overdue,” advocating for immediate recruitment and training, drawing on colonial-era regional policing models.

In addition, Arewa Consultative Forum’s Prof. Tukur Baba expressed measured support, while Middle Belt Forum’s Dr. Bitrus Pogu endorsed it as a step toward federalism, suggesting local policing extensions. Retired General Ijioma Nwokoro Ijioma opposed the move, cautioning that governors might exploit state police for political gain, favoring a reformed federal system.

Governor Radda expressed gratitude for consistent federal support, citing Tinubu’s initial visit to Katsina. Former Governor Aminu Masari and Wazirin Katsina Ibrahim Ida praised infrastructure investments, including the Kano-Maradi rail line, though Ida called for upgrades to Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport and increased security in southern Katsina.

Amid these discussions, the Northern Elders Forum pressed for a state of emergency in the north, citing violent incidents such as the August 19 attack killing 27 worshippers in Unguwan Mantau and the execution of 38 abductees in Zamfara despite ransom payments.

Mzough U Tiv UK’s Victor Aleva reported no reconstruction in Yelewata following a June herdsmen attack that claimed over 200 lives, questioning the validity of police arrests of 26 suspects; Senator Ali Ndume highlighted Boko Haram’s indiscriminate killings, with five farmers murdered in Borno’s Ngoshe and Mussa communities; Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru advocated for ECOWAS and Sahel collaboration, proposing a regional counter-terrorism task force to address root causes like governance gaps.

Recall that Vice-President Kashim Shettima noted in March 2024 that 20 states had yet to submit required reports, despite broad support. The Northern Governors Forum, under Gombe Governor Inuwa Yahaya, endorsed the concept in May 2024, highlighting the centralized police’s inadequacy against local threats and urging the National Assembly to expedite legislation.