President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on the 10th Senate to urgently amend the Constitution to create a legal framework for State Police, describing the move as critical to tackling Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.
The President made the appeal on Wednesday during an interfaith breakfast with lawmakers at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
In a statement was issued by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga and made available to The News Chronicle on Thursday, Tinubu said Nigeria’s security landscape, marked by terrorism, banditry, and insurgency, demands a decentralised policing structure that empowers states to respond swiftly to threats and strengthens intelligence gathering at the grassroots.
“We are facing terrorism, banditry, and insurgency, but we will never fail to respond rightly. You must begin to think of how best to amend the Constitution to incorporate State Police so we can secure our country, reclaim our forests from marauders, and free our children from fear.” Tinubu said.
He argued that State Police would complement federal security agencies rather than replace them, enabling community-based, intelligence-driven law enforcement tailored to local realities.
The President also praised the “harmonious working relationship” between the executive and the legislature, stressing that national unity remains key to defeating insecurity.
Tinubu further thanked the Senate for backing his administration’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and tax restructuring, which he said halted “monumental corruption” and blocked foreign exchange arbitrage.
“Without your collaboration, those reforms would not have been possible. We are reformists together,” he added, expressing optimism about economic stability and future prosperity.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended Tinubu’s leadership, saying the administration’s reforms have increased revenues available to state governments for infrastructure and development.
Akpabio also offered prayers for national peace and for the success of the administration.
