The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International (TI) Nigeria has expressed concerns over critical provisions in the recently passed constitutional amendment bill on State Policing, warning that inadequate safeguards could expose the proposed system to political manipulation, weaken public confidence and widen inequalities in security provision across the country.
According to a statement signed by the Executive Director of CISLAC and Head of Transparency International Nigeria, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the organisation acknowledged that decentralised policing has the potential to improve intelligence gathering, strengthen community trust and enhance responses to local security threats. However, it stressed that the establishment of State Police alone would not resolve Nigeria’s security challenges without comprehensive legal, institutional, financial and governance reforms.
CISLAC urged that the identified concerns be comprehensively addressed before the constitutional amendment is ratified by the 36 State Houses of Assembly and assented to by the President.
The organisation identified political interference as one of its major concerns, warning that without constitutional guarantees for operational independence and effective oversight, State Police formations could be exploited by governors and other political actors to suppress opposition, intimidate journalists and civil society organisations, silence critics and influence electoral processes.
It also called for transparent, merit-based and independently verified recruitment procedures, cautioning that political appointees, partisan loyalists, political thugs and other politically exposed persons should not be absorbed into State Police formations if professionalism and public confidence are to be maintained.
CISLAC further raised concerns over the financial and institutional capacities of many state governments, noting that several states already struggle to meet basic obligations such as the payment of salaries and pensions.
The organisation warned that without sustainable funding mechanisms and adequate administrative structures, some states may be unable to recruit, train, equip and retain professional police personnel, thereby creating a two-tier policing system in which wealthier states enjoy effective security while poorer states are left with underfunded and inefficient police services vulnerable to corruption and operational failure.
Beyond funding, CISLAC stressed that state governments must demonstrate the administrative and technical capacity to manage modern police institutions through effective human resource management, disciplinary systems, intelligence coordination and compliance with national professional standards.
The organisation also observed that the proposed oversight and accountability provisions require significant strengthening, advocating greater independence for supervisory institutions, transparent recruitment processes, comprehensive human rights training, effective complaint and disciplinary mechanisms, enforceable sanctions for misconduct and clearly defined frameworks for intelligence sharing between State Police formations and federal security agencies.
CISLAC maintained that State Police should not merely replicate existing policing structures but should be equipped with modern capabilities, including forensic investigation, cybercrime detection, digital intelligence, surveillance technology, specialised response units, continuous professional development and stronger community engagement.
The organisation also cautioned against viewing State Police as an immediate solution to Nigeria’s security challenges, noting that the transition would require time before newly established police formations become fully operational.
It therefore urged the Federal Government to continue strengthening existing security institutions through improved intelligence sharing, enhanced community policing, better welfare for security personnel, greater investment in technology-driven policing and stronger accountability measures during the transition period.
Commenting on the proposed reform, Comrade Rafsanjani said while State Policing offers significant opportunities to improve local responses to insecurity, the absence of adequate safeguards could undermine its intended objectives.
He called on the 36 State Houses of Assembly, governors and the Presidency to prioritise the public interest by addressing the identified concerns before the legislation becomes operational.
CISLAC further urged state legislatures to conduct extensive public hearings and strengthen the legal framework during the ratification process by ensuring greater independence for State Police Service Commissions, dedicated funding mechanisms insulated from political interference, transparent procurement systems, mandatory independent audits and nationally accepted minimum standards governing recruitment, training, operations, welfare, accountability, transparency and human rights compliance.
The organisation also appealed to the Federal Government and the National Assembly to establish a multi-stakeholder transitional committee to oversee the phased implementation of State Policing, monitor compliance and regularly evaluate the reform to ensure professionalism and consistency nationwide.
CISLAC reaffirmed its commitment to engaging the National Assembly, state legislatures, executive authorities, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, labour unions, the media and the private sector to ensure that the proposed State Policing framework delivers accountable, transparent, effective and citizen-centred security for all Nigerians.
