State police: Shari’ah Council urges caution, wider consultations

State police: Shari’ah Council urges caution, wider consultations

The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has cautioned against rushing the proposed establishment of state police, calling for comprehensive nationwide consultations, transparent public engagement and strong constitutional safeguards before any final decision is taken.

The council said Nigeria’s worsening security situation requires urgent and decisive action but warned that state police should not be presented as a quick or automatic solution to the country’s complex security challenges.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Kaduna by its Secretary-General, Nafiu Baba Ahmad, the council said insecurity had claimed thousands of lives, displaced millions of people and disrupted farming, businesses and livelihoods in many parts of the country.

The SCSN said Nigeria’s security challenges had exposed longstanding weaknesses within existing security institutions, including inadequate funding, corruption, poor welfare for personnel, insufficient recruitment, outdated equipment, weak intelligence gathering and limited coordination among security agencies.

According to the council, creating state-controlled police services without addressing these underlying problems could result in new institutions facing many of the same operational and accountability challenges.

The council urged the Federal Government to strengthen existing security agencies through improved funding, increased recruitment, better welfare, modern equipment and the wider deployment of technology.

It also called for stronger intelligence gathering, improved border security, enhanced accountability and greater professionalism among security personnel.

The SCSN said security reforms should be based on a comprehensive strategy that addresses both the immediate threats facing communities and the institutional weaknesses affecting law enforcement.

The council expressed concern over what it described as a hurried constitutional amendment process aimed at creating a legal framework for state police in Nigeria.

It said constitutional reforms involving policing and national security require transparent public hearings, broad consultations and genuine national consensus because of their potential impact on Nigeria’s federal structure, political system and the rights of citizens.

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The council said many Nigerians believed that the legislative process had not been sufficiently open, inclusive or consultative.

It urged the National Assembly to provide more opportunities for citizens, civil society organisations, professional associations, traditional institutions, religious leaders, security experts and other stakeholders to contribute to the debate.

The SCSN, however, commended lawmakers who defended due process, wider consultations and the national interest during deliberations on the proposed reform.

The call comes amid renewed national discussions over whether decentralising policing could improve security, strengthen local intelligence and enable faster responses to crime.

Supporters of state police argue that state governments are closer to local communities and may have a better understanding of security threats within their areas.

They also believe that state-level police services could improve community engagement and support quicker responses to emergencies.

However, concerns have continued to grow that state police could be misused by governors or other political leaders if adequate safeguards are not included in the law.

The Shari’ah Council warned that state police must not become an instrument for political intimidation, discrimination, election interference or the suppression of lawful dissent.

It said any new policing system should operate under clear constitutional rules and be accountable to independent institutions rather than serving the interests of political office holders.

The council called for independent oversight bodies, transparent recruitment procedures, merit-based appointments and professional training for officers.

It also urged the government to establish accessible and effective mechanisms for receiving, investigating and resolving complaints against police personnel.

According to the SCSN, recruitment into state police services should be based on competence, integrity and professional standards while reflecting the diversity of the communities being served.

The council said appointments should not be influenced by political loyalty, ethnicity, religion, personal relationships or other forms of discrimination.

It also called for strong judicial and legislative oversight to ensure that state police officers respect the rule of law and protect the fundamental rights of all residents.

The SCSN further emphasised the need for sustainable funding, warning that state governments should not establish police services without the financial capacity to provide adequate salaries, training, equipment, technology and operational support.

It said poor funding could weaken the effectiveness of state police and increase the risk of corruption and poor service delivery.

The council urged policymakers to develop clear rules governing the relationship between state police services, the Nigeria Police Force, federal security agencies and existing community-based security organisations.

It said clear responsibilities and effective coordination would be necessary to prevent conflicts over jurisdiction, duplication of duties and gaps in security operations.

The SCSN also maintained that policing reforms alone may not resolve Nigeria’s security challenges without broader efforts to address poverty, unemployment, corruption, weak institutions and limited access to justice.

It called for a comprehensive approach that combines effective policing with intelligence-led operations, community engagement, social investment, justice-sector reforms and improved cooperation among security agencies.

The council urged President Bola Tinubu, leaders of the National Assembly, state governments and other stakeholders to complete meaningful nationwide consultations before reaching a final decision on the proposed reform.

It said the establishment of state police should be based on a broad national agreement that reflects Nigeria’s diversity, strengthens public safety and protects the rights and interests of all communities.

The SCSN prayed for wisdom, sincerity and courage for Nigeria’s leaders as they consider the proposed security reform.

The council expressed hope that the process would promote justice, strengthen national unity and support lasting peace across the country.

As the national debate continues, the council said a carefully designed and widely accepted policing framework would be more likely to improve security while reducing the risk of political control, discrimination and abuse of power.

State police: Shari’ah Council urges caution, wider consultations