The National Economic Council (NEC) has set a deadline of September 9 for Kwara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Adamawa, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to submit their reports on the creation of state police.
Acting Oyo State Governor Bayo Lawal announced this decision on Wednesday following a meeting presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
“NEC decided that those states must make their submissions on or before Monday, September 9th; otherwise, whatever decision NEC takes on the establishment of state police is binding on those states that refuse to make submissions,” Lawal stated.
The push for state police follows discussions that began in February 2024, when President Bola Tinubu endorsed the initiative as a response to increasing security concerns.
In March, 16 out of the country’s 36 states expressed their support and submitted reports to the NEC. Asishana Okauru, Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), confirmed that the remaining 20 governors were in the process of finalizing their reports, which are expected within four weeks.
“The official position of the forum is in favor of state police,” Okauru said, emphasizing that all States are supportive of the idea despite delays in report submissions.
The NEC’s decision is driven by the urgency to address Nigeria’s security issues, with the state police initiative poised to be a key reform.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
