Rivers Assembly Backs Creation Of State Police

The Rivers State House of Assembly has expressed support for the creation of state police, joining growing calls for changes to Nigeria’s security architecture.

The lawmakers said the establishment of state police could strengthen security at the grassroots level and enable authorities to respond more effectively to security challenges within their communities.

The position was made known during proceedings of the Assembly, where members discussed the need to improve security across Rivers State and the country.

Supporters of state police argue that a decentralised policing structure would allow security personnel to better understand local communities and respond more quickly to incidents.

The lawmakers also noted that the current centralised policing system places significant responsibilities on the Nigeria Police Force, which operates across all states under federal control.

The Rivers Assembly’s position comes amid a broader national debate over state policing, with governors, lawmakers, traditional institutions and other stakeholders offering different views on the proposal.

Proponents say state police could complement the existing federal police structure, particularly in addressing crimes and security threats that require local intelligence.

However, concerns have also been raised about possible political interference, funding, recruitment standards and the potential misuse of state police by political authorities.

The debate has featured prominently in discussions about constitutional reform and efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s internal security framework.

The Rivers lawmakers said any move towards state police should be accompanied by appropriate safeguards to ensure professionalism, accountability and respect for citizens’ rights.

They maintained that improving the country’s security architecture remained essential to protecting lives and property and creating an environment conducive to economic activity.

The Assembly’s support adds Rivers State to the list of states and political stakeholders that have publicly backed the establishment of state police.