By John Umeh
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that the establishment of state police is no longer a matter of debate but a necessary step toward strengthening Nigeria’s internal security architecture.
The president made this position clear on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while receiving a delegation of prominent Katsina indigenes led by Governor Dikko Radda. The visit came against the backdrop of escalating cases of banditry and insecurity in Katsina State, one of the areas hardest hit by violent criminal activities.
Tinubu directed security agencies to review and intensify their operations in the state, stressing that the government would not relent in its fight to restore peace. He revealed that advanced military equipment, including drones and surveillance technology, would soon be deployed to boost the effectiveness of troops on the ground. The president also pledged to enhance the capacity of newly recruited forest guards, who will play a critical role in monitoring difficult terrains and preventing attacks.
“The security challenges we are facing are surmountable. Yes, we have porous borders, and we inherited weaknesses that could have been addressed earlier. But it is a challenge we must fix, and we are facing it,” Tinubu said.
He emphasized that insecurity cannot be allowed to define Nigeria’s future, noting: “I am reviewing all aspects of security; I have to create state police. We are looking at that holistically. We will defeat insecurity and protect our people, our children, our places of worship, and our livelihoods. They cannot intimidate us.”
The president further instructed that he be given daily updates on security operations in Katsina, underlining his resolve to monitor the situation personally.
Tinubu reminded the delegation that the federal government had, in February 2024, set up a committee to develop a framework for state policing. The proposal has since gained wide support across the federation, although as of March this year, 20 states had yet to submit their input, according to Vice President Kashim Shettima.
During the meeting, Tinubu also paid glowing tribute to former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing his legacy as one of stability and resilience. “He did not hand over a defeated country or a battered political structure but a legacy of success, and that is the most important thing,” he noted.
In his remarks, Governor Radda expressed gratitude for the president’s consistent support for Katsina State. “Mr President, there was never a time I came with a request that was rejected,” he said. Former Governor Aminu Masari and the Wazirin Katsina, Ibrahim Ida, also commended Tinubu’s commitment to security and infrastructure development, urging the federal government to upgrade the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport and step up security efforts in southern Katsina.
With the president’s renewed focus on security and his declaration that state policing is inevitable, many Nigerians see this as a turning point in the country’s battle against banditry and violent crime—a move that could redefine law enforcement and community safety across the federation.
