Politics
North-Central APC Forum Warns State Police Could Oppress Minorities
ABUJA, Nigeria — The North-Central All Progressives Congress Forum has warned that the creation of state police in Nigeria could become a tool of oppression against minority groups.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The forum, which represents members of the ruling APC in the region, said allowing state governments to control police forces may threaten national unity and put vulnerable communities at risk.
Chairman of the forum, Saleh Mandung Zazzaga, said in Abuja that the move could “spell doom for minorities” who might face discrimination under state-controlled security structures. He called on the federal government and lawmakers to carefully reconsider the push for state policing.
Zazzaga argued that governors already wield enormous influence in their states and adding police authority would make them too powerful. “Giving them control over police will only empower them to silence dissent and marginalize groups that are already struggling for fair representation,” he said.
National Debate on Security Reforms
The call for state police has grown in recent years as insecurity spreads across Nigeria. Kidnappings, banditry, and insurgent attacks continue to affect large parts of the country, leaving many citizens frustrated with the performance of the federal police.
Supporters of state police argue that local forces would respond faster to crises, understand community dynamics better, and reduce the burden on the overstretched Nigeria Police Force. Several state governors, security experts, and civil society groups have backed the proposal, saying it is the only way to curb insecurity.
But critics like the North-Central APC Forum believe state police could worsen Nigeria’s ethnic and political divides. They warn that governors might use the police to protect their allies, punish opposition, and intimidate minority groups.
Forum Calls for Alternative Solutions
Instead of state police, the forum suggested strengthening community policing, increasing recruitment into the federal police, and providing better training and equipment.
Zazzaga said Nigeria should look at building a professional and neutral police force that serves the entire country, rather than fragmenting the system. “We must not sacrifice national security on the altar of political convenience,” he said.
Mixed Reactions Across the Country
The debate reflects Nigeria’s long struggle to balance federal authority with state autonomy. The idea of state police has been raised repeatedly since independence, but fears of abuse and ethnic conflict have stalled reforms.
Analysts note that while the call for decentralization is growing louder, there is no national consensus. Some groups, especially from minority-dominated areas, remain deeply suspicious of giving governors more control.
Civil rights activists have also pointed out that Nigeria’s fragile democracy requires checks and balances. “Until we strengthen institutions and enforce accountability, state police will be dangerous,” said one activist in Abuja.
What Happens Next
The National Assembly is currently considering constitutional amendments that could pave the way for state police. President Bola Tinubu has previously expressed openness to the idea, but no final decision has been made.
For now, the North-Central APC Forum says it will continue lobbying lawmakers to reject the proposal. The group insists that reforms should focus on funding, accountability, and modernizing the federal police system rather than creating state-controlled forces.
Security remains one of Nigeria’s biggest challenges, and the outcome of the state police debate could reshape the future of law enforcement in the country.
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