The Nigeria Police Force has reaffirmed its readiness to support the effective implementation of state police if adopted, pledging that the process would be guided by professionalism, accountability and operational excellence in the interest of national security.
The position was made known on Thursday by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, during the opening of a one-day Sensitisation Workshop on State Police organised by the Nigeria Institute of Police Studies (NIPS).
According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the Inspector-General described the workshop as an important platform for equipping police officers with the knowledge required to participate meaningfully in the ongoing national conversation on state policing and future reforms.
“The workshop is a vital platform for equipping officers with the requisite knowledge to engage constructively in the ongoing national discourse and contribute meaningfully to the implementation of future policing reforms,” Disu said.
The IGP urged participants to take full advantage of the workshop by actively contributing to discussions and sharing the knowledge acquired with officers in their respective commands and formations.
He said such engagements would foster a common understanding of the proposed policing reforms across the Nigeria Police Force and ensure officers are adequately prepared for any future changes to the country’s policing structure.
In his welcome address, the Director-General of the Nigeria Institute of Police Studies, Professor Olu Ogunshakin, commended the Inspector-General for establishing the Nigeria Police Force Steering Committee on State Police.
Ogunshakin noted that several recommendations made by the committee had already been incorporated into the proposed State Police Bill, describing the committee’s work as a significant contribution to Nigeria’s ongoing policing reform efforts.
“The Committee’s work is a significant contribution to the ongoing policing reform process,” he said.
The Nigeria Police Force stated that the workshop forms part of its broader commitment to preparing personnel for emerging policing reforms while maintaining professionalism, operational effectiveness and public confidence in policing across the country.
The Force reiterated that should state police become a reality through constitutional and legislative processes, it is committed to supporting its implementation in a manner that strengthens national security and enhances effective law enforcement.
