The Northern Progressive Elders Group has warned the Federal Government against establishing state police, saying it could worsen political crises and insecurity across Nigeria.
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Speaking on Thursday in a telephone interview, Yusuf Abubakar, a senior member of the group, said while insecurity remains a pressing issue, particularly in the North and South-West, state-controlled police forces are not the solution.
The group emphasized that Nigeria already has multiple security agencies, including the federal police and the military, capable of handling security challenges. According to Abubakar, the real problem lies in the politicization of security, where both major political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are accused of exploiting tragedies for partisan gain.
Recent allegations of federal police misuse in states like Kaduna and Kebbi have also heightened fears that state police could be abused by partisan governors, potentially leading to political persecution ahead of the 2027 general elections. The elders argued that such a move could undermine democracy rather than address the root causes of insecurity.
As an alternative, the group urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to strengthen existing security institutions and ensure their accountability. They also recommended robust public enlightenment on security matters, warning that creating new policing structures could intensify the nation’s security and political challenges.
