Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, has expressed support for the proposed establishment of state police across Nigeria but stressed the need to resolve critical legal and funding concerns before implementation.
Speaking on the growing debate over decentralizing policing in the country, Ndume noted that all state governors had unanimously endorsed the creation of state police, describing it as a significant step toward strengthening security at the grassroots level.
However, the lawmaker cautioned that the initiative must be backed by a clear legal and operational framework to ensure its effectiveness.
“My major concern is the practical and legal framework. We need to carefully consider the legal implications, how state police will be funded, how they will operate, and the mechanisms for accountability,” he said.
Ndume explained that his strong support for state police stems from the glaring shortage of personnel in the Nigeria Police Force, which he said falls far below international standards.
According to him, the current number of police officers in the country is inadequate to effectively police Nigeria’s large and growing population.
Citing the United Nations benchmark, the senator noted that there should be between 200 and 400 police officers for every 100,000 people, adding that Nigeria is currently far from meeting that standard.
He maintained that state police could significantly improve security if properly structured, funded, and regulated.
