The Nigerian Senate passed a bill in June 2026 to establish state police in all 36 states, marking a shift from the decades-old federal police model.Historian Saheed Balogun Amusa explains that Nigeria previously had regional police forces (federal, native authority, and local government) before a centralized system.These regional forces, though closer to citizens, were often influenced by political elites.

Federal police, he argues, have historically been tools for political control, as seen in events like the 1962 Action Group crisis, 1953 Kano riots, and recent incidents like the 2003 abduction of Anambra governor Chris Ngige.While state police could address local security needs, challenges like political abuse and jurisdictional conflicts with federal forces remain.Success depends on constitutional frameworks, autonomy, and public cooperation.The reform aims to create a dual policing model but faces risks of misuse if not properly structured.