IGP Disu: Nigeria’s State Police Framework Draws Lessons from India, US and Pakistan

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has revealed that Nigeria’s proposed State Police framework was developed after an extensive study of policing systems in India, the United States and Pakistan.

Speaking on Thursday at a one-day workshop on State Police organised by the Nigeria Police Institute at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre in Abuja, the IGP said the comparative analysis of these countries helped shape the recommendations currently under consideration by stakeholders.

Disu described the workshop as a timely opportunity for officers of the Nigeria Police Force to deepen their understanding of one of the country’s most significant security reform proposals.

He urged police personnel to actively participate in the ongoing national conversation on State Police by engaging with the issues objectively, contributing informed opinions and helping to educate the public on the proposed reform.

“As discussions on the creation of State Police continue to gain momentum across the country, members of the Nigeria Police Force must remain well-informed and contribute constructively to the ongoing discourse,” the IGP said.

According to him, the workshop provides a platform for participants to examine the implications of establishing State Police, raise critical questions, address legitimate concerns and make meaningful contributions that will strengthen national policy on policing and internal security.

Disu disclosed that the committee responsible for drafting the State Police framework carried out detailed comparative studies of countries operating decentralized policing systems.

“A lot of comparative analysis has been done. We have taken time to study nations where they have state police—India, America and even Pakistan—and how things work there,” he said.

He further explained that while state governors had already constituted committees to work on the initiative, the Nigeria Police Force was able to develop its own framework within just 17 days.

“The governors have already set up their committees. They have already almost concluded. In fact, they have concluded. We started late, but we caught up with them, and I’m happy to say our work is what they are deliberating on today,” he stated.

Disu added that the framework produced by the police has become the foundation for the ongoing discussions on State Police, although additional refinements are still being made.

The police chief also revealed that retired Inspectors-General of Police reviewed the document and made valuable recommendations aimed at strengthening the proposed framework.

“Retired Inspectors-General of Police have visited me, and they have shown their concern. We deliberated together, and they have contributed significantly to this process,” he said.

The debate over the establishment of State Police has continued to generate national interest, with supporters arguing that decentralised policing would improve intelligence gathering, enhance community policing and strengthen the fight against insecurity.

However, critics have consistently raised concerns about possible political interference, abuse of power and the need for strong constitutional safeguards to ensure accountability.

As deliberations continue among federal and state stakeholders, the framework developed by the Nigeria Police Force is expected to play a significant role in shaping the final model for State Police in Nigeria.