A professor of political science, Professor Jibrin Ibrahim, has raised the red flag over the proposed State Police being proposed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that it would be unsafe for citizens, particularly political opponents.
Professor Ibrahim pointedly said that the idea of state policing is worrisome, stressing that if they are established under the control of state governments, the country may be heading for serious trouble and disaster.
This was as he questioned the rationale behind creating State Police if they are going to remain under the authority of the Nigeria Police Force.
The academia therefore warned against placing State Police directly under the control of state governors, stressing that do so, will be a great risk as it would be exposed to serious abuse and misuse.
He specifically said that allowing governors to control state police could undermine the expected benefits as it would open the door to serious abuse of power.
Professor Ibrahim, who stated these on Saturday, March 7, 2026, when he featured on Channels Television programme, ‘Sunrise Daily’ specifically said that governors would most likely deploy such security outfits against political opponents rather than criminals.
In the words of Ibrahim; “While the constitutional argument for state police is based on Nigeria’s federal structure — which allows federating units to establish security institutions within their jurisdictions — placing the forces under governors’ control could be dangerous.
“The current political environment in many states raises concerns that State Police could be used to suppress opposition and entrench political power rather than improve security.
Prof Ibrahim spoke against the backdrop of the inauguration of a seven-member committee for the establishment of the State Police in Nigeria by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu, which is to be chaired by Professor Olu Ogunsakin, a scholar of police studies.
IGP Disu had said that decentralising policing would enable state and local authorities to respond more effectively to security challenges within their jurisdictions.
President Tinubu had recently asked the National Assembly to amend the 1999 Constitution to create the legal framework for the creation of State Police in the country.
