Nigerian governors back state police, insist on constitutional backing for rights protection

Governors of all 36 states, under the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), endorsed establishing state police after their Abuja meeting held Wednesday into Thursday morning, per DAILY POST. They stressed any new structure must have clear constitutional provisions and protect citizens' rights, following presentations from the NGF Secretariat and state Attorneys-General on progress toward a workable system.

The governors emphasized state policing as a key step to address Nigeria's persistent nationwide insecurity, but insisted the design must prioritize rights protection. Discussions included reviewing proposed constitutional amendments and operational frameworks, with dedicated consultations with Attorneys-General on implementation details.

While the NGF communique (signed by Chairman AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara) confirmed support, it did not specify timelines for constitutional reforms or rollout. Governors like Dapo Abiodun cautioned that careful design is essential to prevent abuse while effectively tackling security challenges affecting communities across the country.

Will constitutional reforms keep pace with security demands while safeguarding citizens' rights as governors push for state police implementation?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/18/nigerian-governors-back-state-police-constitution-amendment/