1. The Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) held its 46th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday, 18 April 2026, at the Muhammadu Buhari Conference Centre, Abuja. As part of the AGM, a Colloquium was convened on the theme: “State Police and Community Policing: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities.”
2. The theme of the Colloquium was considered timely and apt, given the evolving security landscape and growing national discourse on decentralised policing.
3. The Colloquium noted that advocacy for a decentralised policing system is gaining traction across the country.
4. Participants observed that the concept of State Police and Community Policing is not entirely new in Nigeria’s security architecture. The perceived shortcomings of earlier attempts should not preclude its adoption; rather, lessons learned should guide improved implementation.
5. The Colloquium highlighted Nigeria’s persistent and complex security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, farmer–herder conflicts, separatist agitations, cultism, ethno-religious tensions, oil theft, and militancy. These are further exacerbated by poverty, youth unemployment, and weak governance structures.
6. It was acknowledged that successive governments have developed various strategic frameworks to address security challenges; however, gaps in implementation remain.
7. Participants expressed concern that the current single-layered, centralised policing framework is inadequate and inconsistent with the principles of federalism.
8. The Colloquium noted that the present policing structure is constitutionally rooted in Sections 214 and 215 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), as well as Item 45 of Part I of the Second Schedule (Exclusive Legislative List).
9. It was observed that Nigeria is, in practice, already operating quasi-state policing through various sub-national security outfits such as Amotekun, Hisbah, and vigilante groups. There is therefore the need to formalise and regulate these structures.
10. The current strength of the Nigeria Police Force, estimated at approximately 371,800 personnel, is inadequate for a population exceeding 200 million.
11. Nigeria’s police-to-population ratio (approximately 1:740) falls below the United Nations recommended standard of 1:450.
12. The deployment of the military for internal security operations across most states was identified as a concern, given its implications for capacity overstretch and role distortion.
13. It was further observed that, although State Governors are designated as Chief Security Officers of their states, operational control of the police remains centralised, sometimes limiting effective response to local security challenges.
14. The Colloquium identified key challenges within the current policing system, including public distrust, inadequate manpower, corruption, insufficient resources, and weak accountability mechanisms.
15. Participants noted that rising crime rates are often linked to intelligence failures or the non-utilisation of available intelligence by relevant agencies.
16. Concerns regarding State Police were highlighted, including potential misuse by state executives, politicisation, coordination challenges, ethnic bias, inconsistent standards, and sustainability issues.
17. While acknowledging ongoing reform efforts, including those of the Inspector-General of Police, the Colloquium noted that certain proposals require further review, particularly regarding transition timelines and structural coherence.
18. The Colloquium emphasised the need for constitutional amendment to Sections 214 and 215 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), to move policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List.
19. Comparative models such as those of Brazil and Ethiopia were considered; however, participants recommended the adoption of a hybrid policing model tailored to Nigeria’s unique socio-political context.
20. It was affirmed that the Nigerian State must retain the legitimate monopoly over the use of force.
21. The Colloquium identified several opportunities inherent in State Police and Community Policing, including:
a. Improved responsiveness to local security challenges;
b. Integration with existing community policing structures;
c. Enhanced inter-agency coordination;
d. Employment generation;
e. Increased resource allocation;
f. Improved intelligence gathering and dissemination;
g. Operational efficiency under state-specific strategies;
h. Strengthened accountability; and
i. Enhanced community trust and engagement.
22. The following guiding principles were recommended for effective implementation:
a. Constitutional amendment to reposition policing within the Concurrent Legislative List;
b. Clear jurisdictional delineation between federal and state police;
c. Defined standards for personnel strength and arms control;
d. Centralised training standards coordinated by the Nigeria Police;
e. Structured inter-state collaboration mechanisms;
f. Sustainable funding frameworks;
g. Clearly defined operational boundaries;
h. Enhanced inter-agency collaboration frameworks;
i. Defined conditions for federal intervention; and
j. Adoption of a standardised national model for State Police and Community Policing.
23. The Colloquium emphasised that kinetic approaches alone are insufficient to address insecurity, and advocated for a whole-of-society approach incorporating social, economic, and governance dimensions.
24. Participants stressed the importance of justice, good governance, value reorientation, and inclusive leadership as critical enablers of sustainable peace and security.
Amb. Emmanuel Obi Okafor, mni
President
Mrs Olufunke Amos, mni
Chairman, Organizing Committee