Support for Nigeria’s ongoing move to decentralise policing has received fresh attention after former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, dismissed concerns that state police could be abused by governors.
The former police chief said the fear surrounding state policing has been overstated, even as the Tinubu-led administration continues to explore reforms aimed at improving national security architecture.
Adamu made the remarks in Abuja over the weekend during an interaction with journalists while speaking on his political ambition to govern Nasarawa State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to him, although Nigeria’s constitution provides for a centralised police system, policing in practice is already shared across multiple community-based structures.
He explained that existing arrangements such as vigilante groups, neighbourhood watch schemes, and regional security outfits like Amotekun already perform policing duties in different parts of the country.
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides for one police force, but police force, but in reality, we already have different forms of policing.
When you look at vigilante groups, neighbourhood watch, and other local security arrangements like Amotekun in the South-West, they are performing policing functions.
So, whether we formally call it state police or not, it already exists in practice. The real issue is not whether to create state police, but how to strengthen and regulate these existing structures to make them more effective and accountable.
Some people fear that governors may misuse state police, but even now, local security outfits are being used in various ways.
So, the fear that governors will misuse it is misplaced. What we need is a proper framework to ensure professionalism and oversight,” he noted.
Furthermore, Adamu argued that rather than creating entirely new structures, Nigeria should focus on strengthening and harmonising what already exists. He said improved coordination would deliver better security outcomes.
However, critics of state policing have continued to warn that political interference at the state level could weaken operational independence.
Despite these concerns, Adamu maintained that proper legal and institutional frameworks would prevent abuse.
In addition, he stressed that security challenges differ across regions, making a flexible and decentralised approach more effective than a one-size-fits-all system.
Adamu also tied his comments to broader governance discussions as he outlined his plans for Nasarawa State, focusing on security, jobs, and infrastructure development.
He noted that insecurity in Nasarawa is largely driven by farmer-herder conflicts and kidnapping, issues that are also common across the North-Central region.
“The major issues in Nasarawa are farmer-herder conflicts and kidnapping. These are not unique to the state, but they are particularly pronounced in the North-Central region. To address them, we must first understand their causes. For instance, conflicts between farmers and herders often arise from competition over resources and, in some cases, deep-seated mistrust. So, my approach is multi-layered. First, we will create jobs, especially for the youth, through agriculture and mining.
Second, we will promote dialogue and conflict resolution at the community level, bringing farmers and herders together to agree on acceptable norms.
Third, we will strengthen community policing by working closely with traditional institutions. They understand their people and can provide valuable intelligence,” he said.
Moreover, he explained that job creation, especially for young people, would reduce vulnerability to crime and strengthen local economies.
Meanwhile, traditional institutions, according to him, remain key partners in intelligence gathering and grassroots peacebuilding.
Therefore, Adamu’s comments have added momentum to ongoing national discussions about security reform and the possible adoption of state policing structures.
In addition, the debate is expected to continue as stakeholders weigh the balance between decentralisation, accountability, and political control.
