By Seun Ibiyemi
The Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) has called on the National Assembly to invoke the doctrine of necessity to accelerate the establishment of state police, arguing that Nigeria’s worsening security challenges require urgent reforms to the country’s internal security architecture.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its Chairman, Dr. Omoniyi Akinsiju, the policy think tank said the current centralised policing system has become increasingly inadequate in addressing security threats at the community level.
According to IMPI, while the Nigeria Police Force should remain the cornerstone of the nation’s internal security framework, there is an urgent need to decentralise policing to improve effectiveness and responsiveness across the country.
“We posit, in this regard, that the police force should be the foundation of the country’s internal security architecture,” the group stated. “In consideration of this, we acknowledge efforts that are being made to establish the State Police as part of the nation’s security apparatus.”
The organisation argued that state policing would enhance intelligence gathering and improve operational efficiency because officers recruited from local communities possess better knowledge of their environment, culture and social dynamics.
“The would-be police officers are better placed because of their knowledge of the culture and familiarity with their environment,” the statement noted.
IMPI maintained that decentralised policing would strengthen the ability of security agencies to respond swiftly to threats and tackle crimes that are often difficult to address through a centrally controlled structure.
Consequently, the group urged lawmakers to take extraordinary legislative measures to expedite the passage of laws establishing state police across the federation.
“We therefore call on the National Assembly to invoke the doctrine of necessity to ensure the passage of the law creating State Police without delay,” the statement said.
Beyond the proposed legal framework, IMPI stressed the importance of community mobilisation and citizen participation in security management, describing grassroots engagement as a critical component of sustainable security reforms.
The group explained that community mobilisation involves empowering residents to actively participate in identifying and addressing security challenges within their localities.
“Community mobilisation is a process of engaging and empowering members of a community to take ownership of and actively participate in addressing issues and challenges facing the community,” it stated.
According to the think tank, effective community-based security requires collaboration among traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations and government institutions.
“It involves bringing together various stakeholders within a community, such as community leaders, local organisations, and government agencies, to work towards a common goal,” the statement added.
IMPI further argued that community-driven security initiatives would improve accountability, strengthen governance structures and foster peaceful coexistence among citizens.
The organisation noted that broader community participation would help ensure that security policies and policing strategies reflect local realities and address the needs of the people most affected by insecurity.
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“Participation in community mobilisation is about addressing the interests of the entire community, with security at the top,” the group stated.
Reiterating the urgency of comprehensive security sector reforms, IMPI warned that delays in restructuring the policing system could further weaken Nigeria’s capacity to respond to emerging security threats and undermine national stability.
The group called on policymakers at both federal and state levels to prioritise security reforms aimed at enhancing public safety and restoring confidence in law enforcement institutions across the country.
