Former Senate Minority Leader Presents Memorandum for Establishment of State Police, Laments Rising Insecurity

Former Senate Minority Leader of the 10th Senate, Senator Simon Mwadkwon PhD, in collaboration with renowned legal luminary Barrister Emmanuel Menseh Madaki, on Friday, 4th July 2025, jointly submitted a memorandum advocating for the establishment of State Police in Nigeria at the Constitution Review Public Hearing.

The memorandum was officially presented by Senator Mwadkwon to the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution during the North Central Zonal Public Hearing held at Crispan Hotel and Suites in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

In his submission, Senator Mwadkwon emphasized the pressing need for more effective policing mechanisms to combat insecurity and criminality across the country. He argued that deploying security personnel who understand the local terrain and the peculiarities of specific communities is essential to achieving desired outcomes in addressing security challenges.

“Effective policing requires strong community engagement, problem-solving strategies, and proactive approaches to crime reduction,” Mwadkwon stated. “The security threats we face demand robust and localized strategies that will not only enhance national security but also promote the overall well-being of our citizens.”

He further stated that State Police would ensure a quicker response to early warning signals, bypassing the bureaucratic delays often associated with a centralized police system. Reaffirming his longstanding advocacy for the decentralization of the policing structure, he cited the persistent threats from terrorists and their sponsors as a major justification for this reform.

Senator Mwadkwon lamented the dire impact of insecurity on the populace, noting that it has led to a massive loss of lives and has severely disrupted livelihoods.

“The level of insecurity has forced many into a state of fear, depression, and abject poverty. Meeting basic needs has become a miracle for many Nigerians,” he said.

The lawmaker also highlighted the importance of reviewing the Constitution to reflect the current realities and aspirations of the Nigerian people. He described the Constitution Review process as a timely and welcome development.

He argued that a centralized policing system is no longer tenable for a country of over 200 million people and 774 local government areas. He recalled that Nigeria once operated a more decentralized structure — particularly in Northern Nigeria — where the Native Authority Police was effective in securing communities.

According to him, the advantage of a State Police system lies in its alignment with the principles of community policing, which requires linguistic, demographic, and geographical familiarity to be effective.

He stressed that the primary responsibility of any government is to ensure the protection of lives and property, as well as the welfare of its citizens, a mandate which, he noted, is currently not being adequately fulfilled.

“No amount of investment is too much when it comes to securing the lives and well-being of Nigerians,” he concluded.

Senator Mwadkwon was also on ground to receive and welcome members of the Senate Committee and other dignitaries who converged in Jos for the national assignment.

The North Central Zonal Public Hearing drew participants from various walks of life, including individuals, civil society groups, community-based organizations (CBOs), and other stakeholders, all of whom presented memoranda aimed at shaping the future of Nigeria through meaningful constitutional reform.