The Northern Progressive Elders Group has cautioned the Federal Government against creating state police, warning that the move could heighten political crises and insecurity across Nigeria.

Speaking on behalf of the group in a telephone interview on Thursday, senior member Yusuf Abubakar acknowledged that insecurity remains a major national challenge, particularly in the North and South-West, but insisted that state-controlled police forces are not the solution.

According to the group, Nigeria already has multiple security agencies, including the federal police and the military, but the real problem lies in the politicisation of security.

“Today, people celebrate attacks on communities based on political affiliations,” the group noted, accusing both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of exploiting tragedies for partisan advantage.

“Instead of creating state police that governors could use against their opponents, what Nigeria needs is justice, rule of law, and a fair application of security measures for all citizens,” Abubakar added.

The elders cited recent cases of alleged misuse of federal police powers—such as arrests linked to political rivalries in Kaduna and Kebbi, arguing that state police would be even more prone to abuse.

“If the federal police can be used to intimidate or suppress opposition, imagine what state-controlled forces could do in the hands of partisan governors,” the statement read.

They also expressed concern that establishing state police ahead of the 2027 general elections could intensify political persecution.

Instead, the group urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to strengthen existing institutions, ensure accountability, and enhance public enlightenment on security issues rather than create new structures that could undermine democracy.

Calls for state police have grown louder in recent months. In February 2024, the Federal Government and governors began discussions on decentralising policing after an emergency meeting at the Presidential Villa. Although states were directed to submit reports on the proposal, deliberations at the National Economic Council have been postponed three times.

The renewed debate comes amid rising insecurity, killings, kidnappings, and other violent crimes, which critics say have overstretched the centralised police system. Proponents of state police argue that decentralisation would allow quicker, locally tailored responses, but opponents fear it could be weaponised for political control.