President Bola Tinubu says the proposed state police system will include safeguards against abuse while strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture through expanded military capacity and forest guards.

President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the proposed state police system will include safeguards to prevent abuse by state governors, saying the Federal Government is committed to building a more accountable and effective security structure.

The President gave the assurance on Thursday while receiving members of the Oyo State Council of Obas, led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at the State House in Abuja.

Tinubu said the proposed state police framework would operate with checks and balances and involve traditional rulers in ensuring accountability.

“There will be state police. That state police will have guardrails from abuses. We’ll protect it from abuses, and you traditional rulers too will have roles to play,” the President said.

He added that the Federal Government is also strengthening forest guards to combat insecurity across the country’s forests.

“We are equally enhancing the capacity and capability of the forest guards; they are not just to chase antelopes and animals. We are going to have them chase the criminals and deal with them in various forests,” he said.

State police will operate with safeguards

Tinubu said the proposed state police structure is being designed to prevent misuse while improving internal security.

The President noted that traditional rulers would have constitutional and community-based roles in supporting accountability under the proposed arrangement. His comments come amid ongoing national debates over whether state governments should control their own police forces.

Supporters argue that decentralised policing would improve security, while critics fear governors could misuse state police against political opponents.

State police reform accompanies broader security expansion

Tinubu said the Federal Government has expanded the Nigerian Army’s operational capacity by creating four additional divisions, increasing the total number from eight to 12.

According to him, the expanded structure will enable faster responses to emerging security threats across the country while improving troop deployment and operational effectiveness.

He also commended members of the Armed Forces for rescuing abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

“Congratulations on the Oriire rescue that succeeded. I think we succeeded with your support, prayers, and I agree with you that we should commend the men and women of the armed forces for their excellent performance,” Tinubu said.

State police debate follows refusal to negotiate with kidnappers

The President said the successful rescue operation in Oriire was possible because the government rejected the kidnappers’ demands.

“We refused to negotiate. These criminals wanted us to review the release from detention, members of their criminal gangs that were already arrested. That was one of their conditions, aside from the money they’re looking for. And I said, ‘no deal,’ we are not going to negotiate with criminals,” he said.

Tinubu added that insecurity in neighbouring Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic has contributed to Nigeria’s security challenges by increasing cross-border criminal activities.

He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with credible intelligence on suspicious movements and activities within their communities.

State police discussions include constitutional proposals

Earlier, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, commended the Federal Government for rescuing the abducted pupils and teachers and expressed support for Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The traditional ruler also advocated true federalism and constitutional roles for traditional rulers, saying both reforms would accelerate national development and improve governance.

The debate over state police has gained momentum as the National Assembly continues the review of the 1999 Constitution. Earlier this month, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele suggested that one safeguard against abuse should be independent funding from the Federal Government rather than direct control by state governors.

The proposed reforms remain under consideration as stakeholders continue discussions on creating a decentralised policing system that strengthens security while preventing political interference and protecting citizens’ rights.