Abbas Backs State Police, Highlights Safeguards Against Abuse

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, has expressed confidence that the proposed state police reform will help address Nigeria’s security challenges if implemented effectively after securing presidential assent.

Speaking at the Stakeholders’ Security Summit held as part of the 2026 National Assembly Open Week in Abuja, Abbas described President Bola Tinubu’s push for state police as a bold step towards reforming the country’s security architecture.

He said the proposed constitutional amendment would not automatically establish state police services, noting that each state House of Assembly must first pass enabling legislation that complies with nationally agreed minimum standards before any state police outfit can commence operations.

The Speaker explained that the proposed framework seeks to balance state-level policing with national oversight by promoting professionalism, accountability and uniform operational standards while giving states greater capacity to respond to local security threats.

Abbas also stressed that state policing would only succeed through effective coordination, intelligence sharing and clearly defined lines of accountability between federal and state authorities.

The security summit formed part of the National Assembly’s Open Week, an initiative designed to deepen citizens’ engagement with the legislature and foster discussions on governance, transparency and national development.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji