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How Nigeria will benefit from state police – IGP

Published

3 months ago

July 11, 2026

Police Clarify IGP Disu’s Position on Recording Officers

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu

How Nigeria will benefit from state police – IGP

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, has thrown his weight behind the establishment of state police, describing the proposed reform as a transformative step that could significantly strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture, improve community policing and enhance intelligence gathering across the country.

Speaking at the Fifth United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit (UNCOPS 2026) held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, Disu said decentralising policing would bring law enforcement closer to the people, enabling officers to better understand the communities they serve and respond more effectively to emerging security threats.

According to the police chief, although the debate over state police has gained considerable momentum, the implementation process requires careful planning, broad consultations and institutional reforms to ensure the new policing system delivers its intended objectives without compromising national security.

“We are still at the teething stage. We need experience, education and comparative studies from jurisdictions already practising state police,” Disu said.

He noted that countries operating decentralised policing systems have demonstrated the importance of building strong legal frameworks, accountability mechanisms and operational guidelines before transferring policing responsibilities to sub-national governments.

The IGP explained that one of the biggest advantages of state police would be stronger community policing, where officers are recruited from and deployed within the states and communities they understand best.

According to him, officers who are familiar with local languages, cultures, traditions and geographical terrain are better positioned to earn public trust, identify security threats early and gather actionable intelligence capable of preventing crimes before they occur.

“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.

Disu stressed that improved relationships between residents and security personnel would encourage citizens to volunteer timely information, thereby strengthening intelligence gathering and enhancing the ability of security agencies to combat kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, cultism, armed robbery and other violent crimes.

He added that state police would complement—not replace—the Nigeria Police Force, allowing the federal police to concentrate more resources on national security responsibilities such as counter-terrorism, border security, cybercrime, organised crime and international policing.

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The IGP reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to professionalism, innovation and intelligence-led policing, saying the Force would continue to adopt modern policing strategies and deepen collaboration with local and international partners to improve public safety.

Disu’s remarks come at a time when momentum is building around the proposed State Police Bill, one of Nigeria’s most significant constitutional reform initiatives in recent years.

The proposed legislation seeks to transfer policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List of the 1999 Constitution, thereby allowing states that meet prescribed constitutional and operational requirements to establish, fund and manage their own police services while maintaining the Nigeria Police Force as the country’s federal policing institution.

Supporters of the proposal argue that Nigeria’s current centralised policing structure has become overstretched due to the country’s growing population and increasingly complex security challenges.

They believe state police would improve emergency response times, strengthen local intelligence networks, enhance crime prevention and enable state governments to address peculiar security challenges within their jurisdictions more effectively.

However, the proposal has also generated debate among legal experts, civil society organisations and political stakeholders.

Opponents have expressed concerns that state police could be abused by state governments for political purposes or used to intimidate political opponents if strong constitutional safeguards are not put in place.

Others have questioned whether every state possesses the financial resources, institutional capacity and technical expertise required to establish and sustain professional police services.

To address these concerns, the Federal Government has repeatedly stated that any framework establishing state police would include robust oversight mechanisms, operational standards, recruitment guidelines, disciplinary procedures and coordination structures to ensure accountability and seamless cooperation between federal and state policing institutions.

Shortly after assuming office as Inspector-General of Police, Disu inaugurated a Steering Committee on the Establishment of State Police, charging its members to study policing models from other countries and develop practical recommendations suitable for Nigeria’s unique security environment.

The committee is expected to examine issues relating to recruitment standards, funding models, command structures, operational jurisdiction, inter-agency cooperation, training requirements and mechanisms for preventing political interference.

Beyond domestic security, Disu used the UN summit to reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to international peacekeeping and global security cooperation.

He noted that since participating in its first United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Congo in 1960, Nigeria has remained one of the organisation’s most dependable contributors to peace support operations.

“There is virtually no UN mission where you will not find Nigerian personnel serving with distinction,” the IGP said.

He paid tribute to Nigerian police officers and military personnel who lost their lives while serving in peacekeeping missions across different parts of the world, saying their sacrifices have earned Nigeria international recognition and respect.

“The United Nations will never joke with Nigeria’s contributions because of our commitment and sacrifices,” he added.

Disu also warned that criminals and terrorist groups are increasingly exploiting artificial intelligence (AI), encrypted communication platforms and digital technologies to coordinate sophisticated crimes across national borders.

He called for stronger international cooperation, improved intelligence sharing, greater investment in modern policing technology and equal access to digital investigative tools to help law enforcement agencies combat cybercrime, terrorism, transnational organised crime and other emerging security threats.

The Fifth United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit brought together police chiefs, ministers, security experts and senior law enforcement officials from around the world to discuss strategies for strengthening international policing, leveraging technology and improving collaboration in tackling evolving global security challenges.

As discussions on state police continue in Nigeria, stakeholders say the success of the proposed reform will depend largely on the legal safeguards, funding mechanisms, operational independence and accountability structures put in place to ensure the new system strengthens national security while protecting citizens’ rights and the rule of law.

How Nigeria will benefit from state police – IGP

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EFCC Wins ₦132m Money Laundering Case as Court Orders Forfeiture of Lagos Properties

Published

6 hours ago

October 10, 2026

Trends Admin

Lagos-based businessman Onatayo Pelumi

EFCC Wins ₦132m Money Laundering Case as Court Orders Forfeiture of Lagos Properties

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of Lagos-based businessman Onatayo Pelumi over alleged money laundering involving approximately ₦132 million, with the Federal High Court in Lagos ordering the forfeiture of two properties and ₦8 million to the Federal Government.

Justice Osiagor of the Federal High Court, Lagos, convicted Pelumi on five counts relating to the retention of proceeds of unlawful activities in bank accounts maintained with Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) and Zenith Bank.

According to the EFCC, the charges covered various sums allegedly retained in the accounts between January 2023 and June 2026, despite the defendant’s knowledge that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities.

The commission did not provide further details about the specific unlawful activities from which the money was allegedly derived.

In his judgment, Justice Osiagor sentenced Pelumi to three years’ imprisonment, with an option of a ₦300,000 fine, on the first count.

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For each of the remaining four counts, the court imposed five years’ imprisonment, with an option of a ₦300,000 fine per count.

However, the judge directed that all the prison terms run concurrently, meaning they are served at the same time rather than consecutively.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of two half-plots of land in Lagos and ₦8 million held in Pelumi’s Zenith Bank account to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The properties covered by the forfeiture order are a half-plot of land at No. 23 Michael Ayorinde Street, Abule-Egba, and another half-plot at No. 1 Yisa Street, Meiran, both in Lagos State.

In addition to the prison sentences and forfeiture orders, Pelumi was directed to undertake seven days of community service.

The conviction followed prosecution by the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 as part of its efforts to investigate and prosecute financial crimes involving the retention of funds linked to unlawful activities.

The case also highlights the commission’s use of asset-forfeiture proceedings to recover money and property connected to financial crime cases.

The EFCC did not disclose additional details about the source of the funds beyond the allegations contained in the five-count charge.

EFCC Wins ₦132m Money Laundering Case as Court Orders Forfeiture of Lagos Properties

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Hardship: ACF Gives Tinubu Three Months to Deliver Relief, Demands Clear Timelines

Published

7 hours ago

October 10, 2026

Trends Admin

ACF’s Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Mohammed-Baba

Hardship: ACF Gives Tinubu Three Months to Deliver Relief, Demands Clear Timelines

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to introduce measures to ease the economic hardship facing Nigerians within three months, while demanding clear timelines and measurable targets for improving living conditions.

The forum said the Federal Government should move beyond repeated assurances that economic conditions would improve and provide specific commitments showing when Nigerians could begin to experience meaningful relief.

The ACF’s Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Mohammed-Baba, made the call during an interview with ARISE News on Thursday, October 8, 2026, according to media reports.

Mohammed-Baba said the administration needed to be more transparent about the effects of its economic reforms and acknowledge areas where the outcomes had fallen short of expectations.

He argued that government policies should be assessed not only by their stated objectives but also by their effects on households, businesses and the wider population.

The ACF spokesman cited the rising cost of living, declining purchasing power, increasing rents, higher transportation expenses and electricity bills as some of the pressures confronting Nigerians. He also identified poor road infrastructure and persistent insecurity as challenges affecting citizens’ welfare.

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According to him, the government should explain how it intends to address these problems and establish clear benchmarks against which its performance can be measured.

Mohammed-Baba called on the Tinubu administration to outline what it expects to achieve within one, two and three years, arguing that measurable targets would enable Nigerians to assess progress rather than rely solely on official assurances.

He also urged the government to acknowledge the difficulties associated with its economic policies and communicate more openly with citizens about the challenges and expected outcomes.

The ACF spokesman maintained that the government should not expect Nigerians to endure prolonged hardship without a clear indication of when relief measures would take effect.

He said three months should be enough for the administration to introduce measures capable of reducing some of the immediate pressures on households, even if broader economic recovery would require more time.

The forum also called for greater accountability from political leaders, arguing that the sacrifices demanded of citizens should be matched by a commitment from public officials to responsible governance and improved service delivery.

Mohammed-Baba’s comments add to the ongoing debate over the impact of the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, particularly the pressure that higher living costs have placed on households and small businesses.

The government has defended its reforms as necessary to address longstanding economic challenges. However, the ACF’s position underscores the need for clear communication about the expected benefits of the policies and practical measures to cushion their immediate effects.

On the 2027 general elections, Mohammed-Baba said the ACF would assess political parties and candidates based on their commitment to good governance, accountability, anti-corruption, equity and fairness.

He said the forum’s position would be guided by the quality of leadership and the ability of political actors to promote responsible governance rather than automatic support for any particular political party.

The ACF’s central demand is for the Federal Government to establish clear deadlines, measurable objectives and practical steps for reducing hardship, enabling Nigerians to judge progress by tangible improvements in their daily lives.

Hardship: ACF Gives Tinubu Three Months to Deliver Relief, Demands Clear Timelines

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Adamawa Mourns as Fufore Loses Second Council Chairman in 18 Months

Published

7 hours ago

October 10, 2026

Trends Admin

Late Chairman of Fufore Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Dr Yahaya Sa’idu

Adamawa Mourns as Fufore Loses Second Council Chairman in 18 Months

The Chairman of Fufore Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Dr Yahaya Sa’idu, has died less than three months after assuming office, in a development that has plunged the council and its residents into mourning.

Sa’idu reportedly died at a hospital in Kaduna following a brief illness. According to Ahmed B. Yusha’u, the council’s Information Officer, the chairman died at about 1 a.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2026.

His death came approximately 18 months after his predecessor, Shuaibu Babas, also died while serving as chairman of the council, making the latest development another significant loss for the Fufore community.

The news of Sa’idu’s death was confirmed in a condolence message by Aliyu Boya Wakili, the member of the House of Representatives representing Fufore/Song Federal Constituency.

Wakili expressed sadness over the death, describing it as a major loss to the people of Fufore and Adamawa State. He prayed for Allah to forgive the deceased’s shortcomings, accept his good deeds and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus.

He also extended condolences to the late chairman’s family, associates and constituents, urging them to find strength and comfort during the difficult period.

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The Adamawa State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) also mourned Sa’idu’s death. The association’s state chairman, Titus Obadiah, described him as a committed leader who served his community.

Obadiah sympathised with the bereaved family, friends, political associates and residents of Fufore, praying for comfort and strength for everyone affected by the loss.

The Adamawa State Police Command also expressed condolences to the deceased’s family, the Fufore community and the state government. The condolence message was signed by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje.

Other political figures who reportedly mourned Sa’idu included Senator Aminu Iya Abbas, representing Adamawa Central Senatorial District, and Ahmad Lawan, a senior special assistant on security to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.

Sa’idu was sworn in as Fufore local government chairman on July 15, 2026, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). His death occurred less than three months after he began his tenure.

His predecessor, Shuaibu Babas, died on April 23, 2025, while in office. Babas’s death was followed by a succession process that eventually led to his deputy, Peace Samson Audu, being sworn in as substantive chairman in May 2025.

The successive deaths have prompted fresh expressions of grief among political stakeholders and residents of Fufore, who are mourning the loss of two council leaders within approximately 18 months.

As tributes continue to emerge, details of Sa’idu’s funeral arrangements were yet to be formally confirmed in the reports available at the time of publication.

The circumstances surrounding his reported brief illness have not been publicly detailed beyond the information provided by the council’s Information Officer.