State Police Framework Ready Soon, Presidency Tells Nigerians

The presidency said Thursday that a constitutional amendment to establish state police will soon happen following months of consultations between the executive, the National Assembly, and security authorities.

President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, briefed correspondents after a consultative meeting at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday, June 4, 2026. According to Gbajabiamila, discussions on the proposed state police framework began several months ago following a directive by President Bola Tinubu, and substantial progress has been achieved in developing the legal and constitutional pathways required for implementation.

“We started deliberations in the last three or four months on how to go about the establishment of state police as directed by Mr President,” he said. “Establishing state police is not something that you do with the snap of the fingers. There is a lot involved in terms of constitution and legalities, and thank God we have now gained a lot of traction.” Gbajabiamila expressed optimism that the constitutional amendment required to create state police would be introduced soon. “Hopefully, the amendment will come shortly, and the details of the amendment will come after that,” he added.

According to the Chief of Staff, the current focus is on the constitutional amendment itself, while enabling legislation would follow afterwards to define operational procedures and administrative frameworks for state police across the country. “Right now, what we are looking at is the constitutional amendment itself, and then the enabling law would follow thereafter. That is what we have been deliberating on in the last couple of hours,” Gbajabiamila stated. He further noted that there is now broad national consensus on the need for state police, stressing that discussions had evolved beyond the question of whether state police should exist. He said the focus had shifted toward ensuring the establishment of an effective legal and institutional framework capable of guaranteeing accountability and efficient operations.

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President Tinubu will receive a full report on the meeting’s outcome. He has consistently backed decentralised policing as a necessary response to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges, maintaining that such a structure would improve grassroots security, enhance intelligence gathering, and better protect lives and property across the country.

The consultative meeting was attended by a cross-section of senior government officials, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to the initiative. Those present included Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) , and Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu. The meeting formed part of ongoing consultations by the Federal Government aimed at developing a workable and nationally acceptable framework for state police to enhance internal security and improve the ability of sub-national governments to tackle emerging security challenges.

The Thursday meeting followed recent kidnappings across the country that have reignited calls for security sector reforms. In May 2026, armed gunmen on motorcycles attacked schools in the Ahoro Esinle community of Oriire Local Government Area in Oyo State and abducted at least 39 pupils and 7 teachers. The assailants eventually killed one of the teachers in captivity. According to reports, the attackers stormed three schools on May 15, 2026 — Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and L.A. Primary School, Esiele — in what has been described as a highly organized operation. The attack marked one of the first mass school abductions of its scale in the South-West, a region previously considered relatively insulated from the mass kidnapping crises that have plagued Northern Nigeria.

Governor Seyi Makinde reported 32 total abductions and took decisive action in response to the crisis. The Oyo State Government ordered the immediate suspension of all school excursions, field trips, inter-school sports competitions, and any extracurricular activities that require students to leave school premises. The Ministry of Education issued a circular directing all school administrators to comply with the suspension until further notice, citing growing security concerns across the state.

The abduction took a tragic turn when reports emerged that a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later beheaded by his captors. Another teacher, identified as Joel Adesiyan (also reported as Adesiyan Adegboye), was killed during the initial raid on the schools. The deaths have sparked national outrage and triggered protests by teachers across the country. In a message marking Eid-al-Adha and National Children’s Day, Governor Makinde expressed deep solidarity with the families of the abducted school children and teachers. “As we mark this year’s Eid and Children’s Day, our thoughts are with every family awaiting the return of their loved ones, and with security agencies working to keep our communities safe,” he wrote on his official X handle. He reassured the state of his administration’s efforts to resolve the crisis, stating, “We are working to ensure the safe return of those who were kidnapped in Oriire LGA.”

The Oyo school abduction has triggered nationwide protests by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) . Members of the NUT, Kwara State wing, joined the nationwide solidarity rally organised by the national body of the union to protest the abduction and continued captivity of teachers and pupils. The rally, held in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, saw teachers marching with placards bearing inscriptions such as “From Chibok to Oriire: Our children are still crying,” “We say no to attacks on schools,” and “Stop the killing and maiming of teachers in Nigeria.” The Deputy Secretary-General of the NUT in Kwara State, Mike Modesty, lamented that the victims had remained in captivity since May 15, adding that the continued attacks on teachers and learners showed that the government had not done enough to protect schools. “They have been abducted since May 15. One teacher has been killed and the remaining ones are still in captivity. And we are hearing that the bandits want to negotiate. Negotiate what? The lives of our children and the teachers?” he said.

The push for state police has gained renewed momentum amid growing concerns over insecurity and increasing calls for a more decentralised policing structure capable of addressing local security challenges across the federation. Supporters of the initiative have argued that Nigeria’s centralised policing structure has become overstretched amid rising security concerns including insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence. Some states have already established regional and local security outfits, such as Amotekun in the South-West, but these operate without full constitutional backing. However, opponents have continued to raise concerns about possible political interference and the potential misuse of state police by state administrations, urging the inclusion of robust legal safeguards to prevent abuse. The state police bill has been one of the most contentious constitutional matters since 1999, with northern governors and some civil society groups previously expressing reservations. Nonetheless, Gbajabiamila expressed confidence that there is now a national consensus on the necessity of the reform.

The constitutional amendment, once finalised, will be presented to the National Assembly for consideration before the enabling legislation that will define the operational procedures and administrative frameworks for state police across the country. President Tinubu will receive a comprehensive briefing on the outcome of the meeting and the progress made toward actualising the long-awaited security reform. According to the administration, a decentralised policing structure would strengthen grassroots security, improve intelligence gathering, and enhance protection of lives and property across the country.

 State Police Framework Ready Soon, Presidency Tells Nigerians

Tinubu Approves One-Year Salary Gratuity for Retiring Federal Workers

ABUJA — Retiring personnel of the State House will be among the first federal workers to benefit from the newly approved gratuity scheme for civil servants introduced by the administration of President Bola Tinubu, the Permanent Secretary of the State House, Mr. Temitope Fashedemi, has revealed.

Fashedemi made the disclosure on Thursday during a send-off ceremony organised in Abuja to honour two retiring directors and two deputy directors, describing the initiative as a major milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen the welfare of public servants before and after retirement.

According to a statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations, State House, Mr. Abiodun Oladunjoye, the Permanent Secretary praised President Tinubu for approving the return of gratuity payments for retiring federal workers in addition to pensions and other retirement entitlements.

The development follows the approval of a new federal civil service gratuity scheme by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in March 2026. Under the policy, officers who have completed a minimum of 10 years in service will be entitled to a gratuity equivalent to one year of their total annual emolument upon retirement, with effect from January 1, 2026.

The scheme was introduced following recommendations by an inter-ministerial technical committee established by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation in collaboration with key government agencies. It is designed to complement the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) introduced in 2004, which largely eliminated gratuity payments for federal civil servants.

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Speaking at the ceremony, Fashedemi noted that some of the retiring officers being honoured would be among the first beneficiaries of the new retirement package.

“Mr President approved the introduction of gratuity for retiring civil servants, and some of you are among the first set of civil servants that will benefit from it,” he said.

He explained that the policy reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that workers who dedicate decades of service to the nation are properly rewarded and supported after leaving active service.

The Permanent Secretary described retirement after 35 years of service or upon attaining the age of 60 as a significant milestone that deserves recognition and celebration.

“We take it that when people work hard for government and put in all these years of service, they need to be recognised and celebrated,” he added.

Fashedemi further linked the initiative to the implementation of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 25), which prioritises employee welfare, productivity and institutional reforms across the public service.

According to him, the State House has institutionalised programmes aimed at recognising exceptional officers during active service and celebrating them upon retirement.

He also commended the retirees for their professionalism, discipline, integrity and commitment to national service throughout their careers.

“It is not easy to do all this work and retire peacefully. All of you have successfully achieved that, and it is no mean feat,” he stated.

The approval of the gratuity scheme has been widely welcomed by civil servants and labour groups, many of whom had long advocated the restoration of gratuity payments to improve the welfare of retirees under the contributory pension system.

Observers say the policy is expected to boost morale within the Federal Civil Service, provide greater financial security for retirees and strengthen confidence in government efforts to improve workers’ welfare.

Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the General Services Office in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, praised the retiring officers for their dedication and service to the country.

Former Permanent Secretary of the General Services Office, Dr. Nnamdi Mbaeri, also highlighted the importance of commitment, professionalism and hard work in public service.

Earlier, the Director of Administration, State House, Alhaji Abdulkadir Idris, described the ceremony as a celebration of distinguished officers who had rendered meritorious service to Nigeria and wished them a fulfilling retirement.

The officers honoured included Mr. Francis Wasa, Director of ICT; Mrs. Adenike Akintola, Director of Internal Audit; and Mr. Esiyede Godwin, Deputy Director, Library and Archives.

Another retiree, Bukar Usman Goni, a Deputy Director in the Finance and Accounts Department who was absent from the ceremony, was also recognised for his contributions.

Speaking on behalf of the retirees, Wasa thanked the State House management for the honour and prayed that serving officers would enjoy successful careers and retire in good health, peace and fulfilment.

With the implementation of the new gratuity scheme for federal civil servants, the Federal Government hopes to provide additional financial support for retirees and reinforce the value of long-term public service.

Tinubu Approves One-Year Salary Gratuity for Retiring Federal Workers

US, Nigeria Intensify Joint Strikes Against ISIS-Linked Militants – Rubio

The United States has reaffirmed its expanding security partnership with Nigeria, highlighting recent joint military operations targeting high-ranking terrorist leaders operating in the country’s North-East.

Speaking before the US House Foreign Affairs Committee in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State, said Washington is actively working with Nigerian security forces in ongoing counterterrorism cooperation with Nigeria, including recent coordinated strikes against Islamic State-linked militants.

Rubio made the remarks while defending the US State Department’s fiscal year 2027 budget proposal, noting that the partnership has intensified amid continued instability in the Lake Chad Basin.

“We are now actively in counterterrorism cooperation with the Nigerian government and Nigerian security forces, including a joint operation a couple of weeks ago that took out the number two leader of global ISIS operating from inside of the country, and that continues,” Rubio said.

US officials identified the killed militant as Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, described as a senior ISIS figure linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). He was reportedly killed on May 15 during a coordinated operation involving US intelligence support and Nigerian military forces in the Lake Chad region.

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US defense officials, including Pentagon spokesperson Pete Hegseth, said Al-Minuki played a central role in planning and directing attacks across parts of northern Nigeria, including assaults on civilian and religious communities.

Following the operation, President Bola Tinubu confirmed the militant leader’s death and praised the joint security effort, stating that several of his commanders were also neutralised in the strike. He described the development as a significant step in ongoing efforts to degrade terrorist networks operating in the country.

Security sources say the operation marked one of the most high-profile targeted killings of an ISIS-affiliated commander in Nigeria in recent years.

In the weeks following the strike, the Nigerian military reported additional coordinated air operations in Borno State. According to the Defence Headquarters, more than 20 ISWAP fighters were killed in an air raid in Metele shortly after the initial operation.

On June 1, another joint intelligence-backed operation involving the Nigerian Air Force and US Africa Command (US AFRICOM) reportedly struck militant positions in Arege, Kukawa Local Government Area, killing at least 21 suspected ISWAP fighters.

Military authorities say the sustained operations are part of a broader strategy to disrupt insurgent logistics networks, eliminate senior commanders, and reduce attacks in the Lake Chad Basin region, which has remained a hotspot for jihadist activity for over a decade.

The US-Nigeria partnership has also focused on intelligence sharing, surveillance support, and counter-IED capabilities, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s response to Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgencies in the North-East.

Analysts say the renewed operational tempo reflects a deeper phase of security cooperation between both countries, even as concerns persist over civilian protection, regional spillover risks, and the long-term stability of liberated communities.

The latest developments underscore Washington’s continued strategic interest in West Africa’s security landscape, particularly in countering extremist groups operating across porous borders in the Sahel and Lake Chad region.

US, Nigeria Intensify Joint Strikes Against ISIS-Linked Militants – Rubio