₦airaland Forum

Barau Jibrin, deputy senate president, says the proposed state police framework contains constitutional guardrails that would allow the president to intervene if governors abuse the outfit.

Barau, who chairs the senate committee on constitution review, spoke on Saturday during Hannu Da Yawa, a live Hausa programme on Radio Nigeria Kaduna.

Last month, the senate passed a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police, with provisions aimed at preventing abuse by state governments.

The proposal provides for a dual policing system in which the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and state police services would operate concurrently, while outlining circumstances under which the federal government can intervene.

Barau described President Bola Tinubu’s push for state police as a “masterstroke” aimed at addressing the country’s perennial security challenges.

He said the executive bill emerged after extensive consultations involving the presidency, the national assembly, the inspector-general of police, retired police officers, security experts, governors, civil society organisations and the public.

According to him, the proposal also underwent public hearings in the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“President Tinubu carefully studied the situation and discovered that while many Nigerians support state police, there are fears that it could be abused or misused for political or ethnic purposes. That is why safeguards have been built into the system,” he said.

‘PRESIDENT HAS POWER TO INTERVENE’

Barau said the proposed framework provides clear legal protections and institutional checks against abuse.

“If state police is used for intimidation or actions that threaten lives and property, the president has the constitutional authority to intervene and direct the federal police to take over,” he said.

He explained that state police would complement rather than replace the NPF.
“State police operatives, who will be recruited from local communities, know the people, the terrain and even the criminals,” he said.

“This will significantly improve our response to banditry, kidnapping and other crimes. The north stands to benefit significantly. This initiative is designed to bring lasting peace to the worst-hit areas.”

Barau added that the NPF would retain responsibility for national security issues such as terrorism and cybercrime, while state police would focus on internal security and public order.

He also said state police commandants would be appointed through a rigorous process and protected by law from undue political interference.

The deputy senate president acknowledged concerns about funding and operational capacity, saying appropriate financial and operational frameworks would be developed as the constitutional amendment process progresses.

He expressed confidence that state houses of assembly would support the initiative.
“We must re-engineer our security architecture to better protect lives and property while guarding against abuse,” he added.

“This is a balanced, consultative initiative built on safeguards and aimed at bringing policing closer to the people.”

SlavaUkraini:
https://www.thecable.ng/barau-jibrin-president-can-intervene-if-governors-abuse-state-police/

SlavaUkraini:
https://www.thecable.ng/barau-jibrin-president-can-intervene-if-governors-abuse-state-police/

LibertyRep:
The fight for supremacy between state and Federal police will be epic.
Some will be overzealous.

But regardless, we still want the state police. It's non negotiable at this point.

We can't discard such initiative for the fear of being misused when it has not started at all.

State Police we want.

Sheuns:
You’re still giving the president too much power.

Let’s build strong institutions and not strong people.

Let the court handle such issues.

If you want to copy something, copy well and do as those you’re copying from did while also improving on the lapses they may have.

Is this how the USA we copy do things?

Sheuns:
You’re still giving the president too much power.

Let’s build strong institutions and not strong people.

Let the court handle such issues.

If you want to copy something, copy well and do as those you’re copying from did while also improving on the lapses they may have.

Is this how the USA we copy do things?

givedemwotowoto:
State police is useless if the constitution establishing it doesn't clearly separate state and federal powers.

Federal police should never have any jurisdiction over state police unless a federal crime is involved.

vb0mb:
I pity you. Do you understand FBI and CIA model.

You just want to talk, because it is cheap.

Jd10k:
9
Even in USA that this arrangement will be copied from a lot of times the FBI will take over a case from the state police .