President Bola Tinubu has restated his administration’s commitment to the establishment of state police as part of efforts to address the worsening security challenges across the country.
Tinubu gave the assurance on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, during a closed-door meeting with a delegation from Plateau State, led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
The meeting was said to be a follow-up to the President’s recent visit to the state after the Palm Sunday attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos, which left several residents dead and renewed concerns over insecurity in the North-Central state.
TheTimes Nigeria reports that Plateau has witnessed repeated attacks in several communities, leading to loss of lives, displacement of residents and calls for stronger security measures at the local level.
Addressing the stakeholders, Tinubu urged the Plateau delegation to revisit and implement existing white papers aimed at addressing the root causes of violence in the state.
He asked them to study the documents, agree on areas that could be implemented and return to the Federal Government with any unresolved issues.
The President said, “That you have, go through it, and agree to implement those white papers. Any naughty issues, bring it back.”
Tinubu said lasting peace in Plateau and other parts of the country would require deliberate action, cooperation among leaders and a security arrangement that allows law enforcement to respond more effectively to local threats.
The President said his administration would work with members of the National Assembly to ensure the creation of state police, adding that such a move would help tackle parts of the country’s security problems.
He noted that the current security situation had caused too much pain for families and communities, stressing that peace remained central to national development.
Tinubu said, “Through the legislators that are here, we are going to work together, to establish state police. I believe that when we have state police, enforcement of law and order will take care of some of these problems.
“For us to stop creating widows, widowers, orphans, there must be peace. It is very tough to develop if you don’t have peace.”
The renewed call for state police comes amid growing pressure from governors, lawmakers and other stakeholders who argue that Nigeria’s centralised policing structure is no longer sufficient to address the security challenges facing different parts of the country.
Supporters of state police believe it will allow governors to respond faster to threats within their states, while critics have often raised concerns about possible abuse by political leaders.
Tinubu, however, maintained that the country must find a workable security structure that will help protect lives, restore peace and support development.
