A steering committee on the proposed establishment of a State Police Service (SPS) has recommended a strong, multi-layered oversight system designed to prevent political interference and abuse of power.
The committee, chaired by Olu Ogunsakin, made the recommendations in a report released on Sunday in Abuja, noting that robust accountability mechanisms are essential for the success of any decentralised policing structure.
The committee, inaugurated by Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, warned that political pressure would be unavoidable in the operation of state police systems and must therefore be countered with strong institutional safeguards.
It stressed that no single oversight body should be solely responsible for monitoring the proposed State Police Service, arguing that multiple overlapping layers of accountability are necessary to prevent systemic abuse.
According to the report, effective oversight is central to building public trust, without which a state policing system could quickly become ineffective and feared by citizens.
The committee referenced past accountability challenges within Nigeria’s existing policing system, including incidents linked to the #EndSARS protests, allegations of extortion, and cases of deaths in custody, describing them as evidence of the dangers of weak oversight structures.
To address these concerns, the committee proposed the creation of State Police Service Commissions (SPSC) in each state as independent constitutional bodies.
Each commission would be chaired by a retired High Court judge, a senior retired police officer, or a senior legal academic, alongside members drawn from civil society, traditional institutions, women’s groups, youth representatives, and experts in public administration.
The report recommended that members be appointed by state governors but confirmed by state assemblies, with fixed four-year tenures to ensure stability and independence.
Among its key responsibilities, the proposed commissions would handle recruitment, promotions, discipline, and dismissals within the State Police Service, as well as oversee budget approvals before submission to state legislatures.
They would also review performance reports, including data on arrests, use of force, complaints, and detention conditions, as well as supervise an independent police ombudsman.
In addition, the commissions would publish annual reports on policing performance and compliance, making them publicly accessible to strengthen transparency and accountability.
The committee concluded that without strong independent checks, the proposed state police system risks political capture and loss of public confidence.
