Afenifere is calling on the Nigerian National Assembly to ensure a proposed state police force remains independent from federal government control [1].
The move represents a critical debate over the balance of power between Nigeria's central authority and its regional states. If state police forces are not truly autonomous, critics argue they will fail to address local security challenges effectively.
Afenifere expressed concerns regarding the current framework of the legislation. The group said that while the creation of state police is a positive step, the specific language of the bill requires significant revision [1].
According to the group, certain sections of the proposal are problematic. "However, there are some areas in the Bill that need to be reviewed—areas that tend to make the proposed State Police appendages of the federal government," the group said [1].
The organization argues that for state policing to be successful, it must not be subservient to the federal government [1]. By removing federal dependencies, states could potentially manage their own security apparatuses, and respond more swiftly to regional threats.
The Nigerian National Assembly is now tasked with reviewing these legislative areas to determine if the proposed police force maintains sufficient independence. The outcome of these reviews will determine whether the new security structure decentralizes power or simply extends the reach of the federal government into state jurisdictions [1].
“Afenifere is urging the Nigerian National Assembly to make a proposed state police force independent.”
This push for independence highlights a long-standing tension in Nigeria between federal centralization and state autonomy. By opposing a state police force that remains an 'appendage' of the center, Afenifere is advocating for a true devolution of security power, which could fundamentally alter how law enforcement and political control are exercised across Nigeria's diverse regions.
