State Police: Sharia Council Urges Wider Consultations Before Constitutional Amendment
The Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria (SCSN) has called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to suspend any rush toward establishing state police, urging broader national consultations before amending the Constitution.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its Secretary-General, Nafiu Ahmad, the council said while the country’s worsening insecurity demands urgent attention, creating state police should not be viewed as an immediate solution to Nigeria’s security challenges.
According to the council, the nation’s security crisis is rooted in deeper structural problems, including inadequate funding, corruption, poor welfare for security personnel, manpower shortages, weak intelligence gathering, outdated equipment, and poor coordination among security agencies.
The SCSN maintained that government should first prioritise comprehensive reforms of existing security institutions by improving funding, recruitment, intelligence capabilities, technology, border security, accountability, and professionalism.
The council argued that simply transferring policing powers to state governments would not automatically resolve these longstanding challenges.
It also expressed concern over what it described as the speed of the ongoing constitutional amendment process, stressing that any major reform of Nigeria’s security architecture should only proceed after extensive public consultations, transparent hearings, and broad national consensus.
The council criticised the National Assembly’s handling of the process, saying many Nigerians believe it has not provided sufficient opportunities for inclusive participation and meaningful public engagement. However, it commended lawmakers who have insisted on wider consultations and strict adherence to due process.
The SCSN further warned that, without adequate constitutional safeguards, state police could be exploited for political purposes, including intimidation, discrimination, and the suppression of opposition voices.
To prevent potential abuse, the council called for the establishment of independent oversight institutions, merit-based recruitment, professional training, effective complaint mechanisms, judicial and legislative oversight, sustainable funding, and constitutional guarantees to protect citizens’ rights.
It urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the leadership of the National Assembly, state governments, and other stakeholders to address the concerns raised by Nigerians through comprehensive nationwide consultations before proceeding with any constitutional amendment on state police.
The council also prayed for wisdom and sincerity among the country’s leaders to adopt policies that would promote justice, strengthen national unity, and restore lasting peace and security.
The debate over state police has gained momentum as the Federal Government and the National Assembly consider constitutional reforms aimed at decentralising policing in response to rising cases of banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and communal violence.
While supporters argue that state police would enhance local security responses and reduce pressure on the Nigeria Police Force, opponents fear the system could be misused by state governments unless strong legal and institutional safeguards are put in place.
