Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu has expressed confidence that the proposed establishment of state police will improve security across Nigeria by bringing policing closer to the people and strengthening community-based intelligence.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York, Disu said the proposed policing system would help officers better understand the communities they serve, leading to faster responses to security threats and improved public trust.
“It will bring policing closer to the people because officers will better understand the communities they serve. It will take us back to the era when almost everybody knew those policing their communities,” he said.
The police chief, however, noted that the implementation of state police would require careful planning, consultations and lessons from countries already operating similar systems.
“We are still at the teething stage. We need experience, education and comparative studies from jurisdictions already practising state police,” Disu stated.
According to him, the initiative is expected to deepen community policing, improve intelligence gathering and strengthen collaboration between federal and state security institutions.
Disu also reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to professionalism, innovation and strategic partnerships aimed at enhancing peace and national security.
The proposed State Police Bill seeks to move policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List of the Constitution, allowing state governments to establish and manage their own police forces alongside the federally controlled Nigeria Police Force.
During the interview, Disu also highlighted Nigeria’s longstanding contribution to United Nations peacekeeping operations, describing the country as one of the UN’s most reliable peacekeeping partners.
He noted that Nigeria has participated in UN peacekeeping missions since 1960, contributing troops and police personnel to various operations around the world.
“There is virtually no UN mission where you will not find Nigerian personnel serving with distinction,” he said.
Disu added that Nigeria’s sacrifices, including the loss of security personnel during peacekeeping missions, have earned the country global respect within the United Nations.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
