Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has stated that the proposed establishment of state police will bolster security operations nationwide and serve as a vital complement to the Nigeria Police Force.
Addressing journalists on Thursday at the Police Officers’ Mess in Ikeja, CP Jimoh explained that the concept of state policing is currently being reviewed as part of national efforts to decentralize security governance and bring law enforcement closer to local communities. He noted that the initiative is designed to enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies to respond more effectively to emerging threats across the countr
The Commissioner emphasized that state policing, if properly implemented, would offer significant benefits by utilizing local knowledge of security dynamics and enabling rapid responses to criminal activities.
“By bringing law enforcement closer to the people, state policing will strengthen the relationship between officers and communities, improve intelligence gathering, and encourage greater cooperation between citizens and the police,” CP Jimoh stated.
He further clarified that decentralizing specific responsibilities would allow state governments to address unique security challenges within their jurisdictions more efficiently.
Beyond security, the Commissioner noted that the new structure could boost the economy by creating thousands of jobs for young Nigerians while strengthening the nation’s overall security architecture.
According to him, the federal police will maintain its constitutional role as the primary national institution responsible for internal security, focusing on complex and transnational crimes such as terrorism, cybercrime, and human trafficking.
Assuring officers that the proposed reforms would not threaten their job security, the Police boss concluded that a collaborative arrangement between federal and state structures would ultimately deliver more effective safety outcomes for all citizens.
