Lawyer Oshoma backs state police, warns against governor overreach
Lawyer Liborous Oshoma expressed support for creating state police in Nigeria, citing the country's worsening insecurity and the need for faster, intelligence-led responses at the community level. Speaking on June 24, 2026, he warned that giving governors sole authority to appoint, discipline and fund state police would open the door to abuse, pointing to experiences with state electoral commissions where governors have been accused of using security forces to intimidate opponents and influence elections. Oshoma argued that while governors are constitutionally the chief security officers of their states, security agencies should not be wholly answerable to them. He proposed an independent State Police Commission composed of representatives from civil society organisations, professional bodies, the media and other stakeholders to oversee recruitment, discipline, salaries and operational standards. He also stressed that establishing state police would require amending the constitution, which currently recognises only the Nigeria Police Force as the national police. Oshoma urged lawmakers and stakeholders to design safeguards that prevent political interference while allowing state police to effectively tackle crime and improve public safety.