The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has stated that the introduction of state police will deepen community policing and improve intelligence gathering across the country. Disu told the News Agency of Nigeria in New York on Friday that the initiative would boost community-based policing and enhance the collection of local intelligence. He noted, however, that the implementation of the policy would involve extensive consultations, comparative studies, and capacity building before full operationalization.
The police chief explained that the country is currently gathering necessary insights to adopt the model effectively. He said, “We are still at the teething stage. We need experience, education and comparative studies from jurisdictions already practising state police,” He expressed optimism that the decentralized policing framework would strengthen collaboration between federal and state security institutions.
Disu emphasized that the decentralized model would significantly enhance the relationship between the police and local residents. He added, “It will bring policing closer to the people because officers will better understand the communities they serve. It will take us back to the era when almost everybody knew those policing their communities,” He noted that closer community engagement would lead to improved intelligence gathering, enhanced public trust, and a more rapid response to security threats.
The Inspector-General reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to innovation, professionalism, and strategic partnerships to sustain peace, stability, and national development. The State Police Bill seeks to move policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List of the Constitution, thereby empowering state governments to establish, fund, and operate their own police forces alongside the centrally controlled Nigeria Police Force.
Disu, who participated in the United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit at the United Nations headquarters, stated that Nigeria’s contributions and sacrifices strengthen global peace. According to him, Nigeria’s United Nations peacekeeping record remains a source of global pride, noting that the country has never failed in its assigned United Nations peacekeeping missions. The Inspector-General remarked that Nigeria remains one of the most dependable contributors to global peacekeeping efforts.
He commended Nigerian security personnel serving worldwide, pointing out that the nation has consistently contributed troops and police officers while making immense sacrifices. The police chief reaffirmed Nigeria’s longstanding commitment to United Nations peacekeeping operations, recalling that the country began participating in peacekeeping operations in Congo in 1960 and has remained a dependable contributor ever since. He stated, “There is virtually no UN mission where you will not find Nigerian personnel serving with distinction,”
Disu also noted that Nigeria has suffered immense sacrifices in global peacekeeping through the loss of many police personnel over the years. He concluded by emphasizing the high regard with which the global body holds the nation, stating, “The United Nations will never joke with Nigeria’s contributions because of our commitment and sacrifices,”
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