State police: Sharia council demands broader engagement before rollout

The Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria has cautioned the Federal Government and the National Assembly against rushing the constitutional amendment process to establish state police, insisting that broader national consultations must precede any final decision on the proposed reform.

The council said although Nigeria’s worsening insecurity required urgent action, state police should not be presented as a quick fix to the country’s security challenges.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its Secretary-General, Nafiu Ahmad, the council said it had been closely monitoring the national debate and legislative process on state police, describing the issue as one with profound implications for justice, national unity and the country’s future.

According to the council, Nigeria is grappling with one of the worst security crises in its history, with thousands killed, millions displaced, and widespread destruction of farms, businesses and livelihoods.

It noted that while every genuine effort to improve national security deserved support, the shortcomings of the country’s security architecture stemmed largely from inadequate funding, corruption, poor welfare, insufficient personnel, weak intelligence gathering, obsolete equipment and poor coordination among security agencies.

“The immediate priority should therefore be the comprehensive reform and strengthening of existing security institutions through improved funding, recruitment, modern technology, intelligence gathering, border security, accountability and professionalism,” the statement read.

The council argued that merely transferring policing powers to state governments would not automatically resolve these structural deficiencies.

It also expressed concern over what it described as the apparent haste with which constitutional amendments on state police were being pursued.

According to the council, changes to Nigeria’s security architecture should be subjected to extensive national consultations, transparent public hearings and broad consensus among stakeholders.

The SCSN said it was disappointed with the handling of the process by the National Assembly, noting that many Nigerians believed it had not met the standards of openness, inclusiveness and rigorous consultation expected of such an important constitutional matter.

It, however, commended lawmakers who had insisted on due process and wider consultations, saying their position reflected the essence of democratic representation.

The council also warned that, without adequate constitutional safeguards, state police could become instruments of political intimidation and discrimination.

It stressed that Nigeria’s religious, ethnic and political diversity required a policing system that guaranteed equal protection for all citizens.

The SCSN therefore called for independent oversight institutions, transparent and merit-based recruitment, professional training, effective complaints mechanisms, judicial and legislative oversight, sustainable funding and constitutional guarantees against abuse of power before any state police system is introduced.

It urged President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the National Assembly, state governments and other stakeholders to conclude comprehensive nationwide consultations and address the concerns raised by Nigerians before proceeding with any constitutional amendment on state police.

The council also prayed for wisdom and sincerity for the nation’s leaders to take decisions that would strengthen justice, preserve national unity, and restore lasting peace and security.

The debate over the creation of state police has intensified in recent months as the Federal Government and the National Assembly consider far-reaching constitutional amendments aimed at overhauling Nigeria’s policing system amid rising insecurity across the country.

Proponents argue that decentralising policing would enable state governments to respond more swiftly to local security threats, including banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and communal violence, while easing the burden on the centrally controlled Nigeria Police Force.

However, critics have expressed concerns that state police could be abused by governors to intimidate political opponents, suppress dissent and interfere in elections if adequate constitutional safeguards are not put in place.

The proposal has continued to divide opinion among governors, lawmakers, civil society groups, religious organisations and security experts, with many stakeholders calling for comprehensive reforms of the existing police structure and stronger legal protections before any amendment is adopted.