State police must never become tool for political repression- Kalu

Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, has cautioned that the proposed creation of state police must not be turned into an instrument of political persecution, stressing that any decentralised policing system should be driven by accountability, professionalism and service to citizens.

Kalu spoke on Thursday at the 2026 South-East Regional Security Summit with the theme, “Collaborative Approaches to Strengthening Security and Regional Stability.”

Speaking as Chairman of the House Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, he said Nigeria’s escalating security challenges demand coordinated efforts involving governments at all levels, security agencies, communities and other critical stakeholders.

He maintained that the country’s centralised policing model has become overstretched and is no longer adequately equipped to tackle the growing security threats across the federation.

In a statement issued by Udora Orizu, his Special Assistant on Print Affairs, Kalu said, “The proposed establishment of state police must be anchored on accountability, professionalism and service to the people. It must never become a tool for political repression.”

He described the constitutional amendment seeking to establish state police as a practical response to Nigeria’s changing security realities, pointing to the Executive Bill on the Establishment of State Police Services and Other Related Services (HB 2797) as a major step towards bringing policing closer to local communities.

According to him, decentralised policing would enhance response time and make it easier for security agencies to utilise local intelligence, while insisting that state police should strengthen, rather than undermine, the Nigeria Police Force.

Kalu assured Nigerians that the National Assembly would continue to pursue constitutional amendments creating state police, while ensuring adequate safeguards are built into the system to prevent political misuse.

He also praised President Bola Tinubu for what he called decisive reforms of the country’s security architecture, including the Federal Government’s plan to expand the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and recruit about 28,000 additional personnel.

According to him, the expansion would improve the military’s operational capacity and speed up responses to terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes.

The Deputy Speaker further advocated stronger regional cooperation, proposing the establishment of a permanent South-East Regional Security Coordination Council alongside a shared intelligence platform to deepen information sharing and joint operations among the five South-East states.

Kalu said, “Criminal networks do not recognise state boundaries. Our response must therefore be regional.

“The framework should include a joint intelligence-fusion mechanism, interoperable communication systems, coordinated patrols along inter-state routes, a shared database of wanted persons and criminal networks, and harmonised procedures for rapid response. Every distress call must reach the nearest capable security formation, irrespective of jurisdiction.”

He urged security agencies to move beyond reliance on checkpoints and adopt intelligence-driven policing supported by modern technology.

“Checkpoints alone cannot defeat mobile and technologically enabled criminal groups.

“We require drones, geospatial mapping, forensic capability, automated vehicle identification, emergency communication systems and professionally managed surveillance infrastructure,” he said.

Kalu, however, emphasised that technology would only succeed if communities trust security institutions and are willing to cooperate with them.

He said, “Residents usually know when strangers enter their forests, when abandoned buildings become criminal camps or when unusual arms move through their communities. They will provide information only when they believe their identity will be protected and their reports will lead to responsible action.

“We must consequently establish secure community-reporting channels, protect informants and strengthen collaboration with traditional rulers, town unions, youth organisations, women’s groups, transport unions and neighbourhood associations.”

The Deputy Speaker called on participants at the summit to ensure concrete outcomes by producing a comprehensive regional security implementation plan within 60 days, outlining responsible agencies, funding requirements, timelines and measurable performance indicators.

He also recommended that stakeholders reconvene within six months to assess progress instead of merely organising another conference.

“The outcome of this summit must go beyond speeches,” he said, stressing the need for a functional regional security framework backed by coordination and accountability.

Kalu reaffirmed the commitment of the House of Representatives to advancing security reforms through legislation, oversight and budgetary support to ensure improved public safety.

The renewed call comes as debate continues over proposals to establish state police as part of the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution.

While supporters argue that decentralised policing would strengthen intelligence gathering, community engagement and response to crime, opponents have expressed fears that governors could deploy state police for partisan purposes.

The House of Representatives is currently considering several constitutional amendment bills, including proposals for the establishment of state police.

The South-East Regional Security Summit was organised by the Federal Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-East) to develop coordinated responses to insecurity across the region.