President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on the leadership of the 10th Senate to initiate constitutional amendments that would establish a legal framework for the creation of state police, describing the move as urgent in addressing Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.
The President made the appeal on Wednesday during an interfaith breakfast with senators at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to President Tinubu, decentralising policing would strengthen grassroots security operations and enhance the capacity of state governments to respond swiftly to local threats. He argued that a state police structure would complement the existing federal security architecture and promote intelligence-driven, community-focused law enforcement.
“We are facing terrorism, banditry and insurgency,” the President said. “What I will ask for tonight is for you to start thinking about how best to amend the Constitution to incorporate state police, so we can secure our country, reclaim our forests from marauders and free our children from fear.”
He stressed that unity between the executive and legislature remains critical to overcoming terrorism and banditry, commending the cordial working relationship between both arms of government.
“It is a good thing that we are working in harmony. We are looking forward to a country that evolves, takes care of its citizens and protects all,” he added.
President Tinubu also expressed appreciation to the Senate for supporting key economic reforms introduced by his administration, including the removal of fuel subsidy and ongoing tax reforms. He described the reforms as necessary steps to eliminate systemic corruption and stabilise the economy.
“What we gave up and stopped was monumental corruption in the subsidy system. We do not want to participate in monumental corruption and foreign exchange arbitrage,” he said, adding that the reforms have strengthened economic stability and increased national revenue.
In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio thanked the President for hosting the interfaith gathering and commended what he described as the administration’s visionary leadership at a critical period in the nation’s history.
Akpabio noted that the administration’s reforms have boosted revenue allocations to sub-national governments, enabling governors to invest more in critical infrastructure. He also offered prayers for the President and for national peace and prosperity.
