Nigeria's State Police initiative to boost community policing, says IGP

Nigeria's Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has outlined plans for the proposed State Police initiative, emphasizing its potential to deepen community policing and significantly improve intelligence gathering across the nation.

Speaking in New York, Disu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the initiative aims to foster community-based policing by bringing officers closer to the people they serve. He believes this will revive an era where community members knew their local law enforcement officers. "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," Disu stated.

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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.

However, the Inspector-General cautioned that the full operationalization of State Police would involve a phased approach. "We are still at the teething stage. We need experience, education and comparative studies from jurisdictions already practising state police," he said. This suggests a period of extensive consultations, comparative studies with existing models, and significant capacity building before the system is fully implemented.

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We are still at the teething stage. We need experience, education and comparative studies from jurisdictions already practising state police.

Disu expressed confidence that the establishment of State Police would strengthen collaboration between federal and state security institutions, leading to improved intelligence gathering, enhanced public trust, and a more rapid response to security threats. He reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to innovation, professionalism, and strategic partnerships to maintain peace and national development.

Separately, Disu highlighted Nigeria's enduring commitment to global peace through its contributions to United Nations peacekeeping operations. He noted that Nigeria's peacekeeping record, which began in Congo in 1960, remains a source of pride, with Nigerian personnel consistently serving with distinction in various missions worldwide. "There is virtually no UN mission where you will not find Nigerian personnel serving with distinction," he asserted, acknowledging the significant sacrifices, including the loss of personnel, made by Nigeria in these operations.

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There is virtually no UN mission where you will not find Nigerian personnel serving with distinction.