The Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria has urged the Federal Government and National Assembly to broaden consultations before proceeding with the establishment of state police.
The council warned against rushing the constitutional amendment process, insisting that the proposed reform requires wider national engagement before any final decision is reached.
The demand comes as the debate over state police continues to gain momentum amid persistent concerns about insecurity across Nigeria.
Supporters of state police have argued that allowing states to operate their own police forces could improve security by bringing policing closer to local communities.
However, opponents and cautious stakeholders have raised concerns about possible political interference, abuse of power and the potential implications for Nigeria’s federal structure.
The Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria has now called for broader consultation as discussions around the proposed constitutional changes continue.
Council seeks wider consultation
The council’s position is that the Federal Government and National Assembly should engage more extensively with stakeholders before the reform is finalised.
Its concern centres on the need for a national conversation capable of addressing the constitutional, security and administrative implications of state police.
The proposed reform would represent a major change to Nigeria’s existing policing structure, which is currently dominated by the Nigeria Police Force under federal control.
The debate has intensified in recent years as insecurity has placed additional pressure on the country’s security architecture.
State police debate
Advocates say state-controlled police forces could enable authorities to respond more quickly to local security challenges and provide better knowledge of communities.
Critics, however, fear that governors or other powerful political actors could misuse state police for political purposes.
These concerns have made the constitutional reform process particularly sensitive.
The Sharia council’s call for broader engagement adds another voice to the ongoing national debate and underscores the need for stakeholders to examine the potential consequences before implementation.
For now, the proposed state police structure remains subject to the constitutional amendment process and further consideration by the relevant authorities.