The Senate has explained why the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, will not be included in Nigeria’s proposed state police structure, citing its unique constitutional status and absence of institutions required to operate a state-controlled police force.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu, said the FCT differs from Nigeria’s 36 states because it does not have an elected governor or a State House of Assembly.
According to him, Abuja falls directly under the administration of the Federal Government, making the proposed state police arrangement unsuitable for the territory.
Adaramodu said the FCT is administered by a minister who operates under the Federal Government, while the National Assembly performs legislative functions for the territory.
“I have heard many people raise a lot of questions on why the Federal Capital Territory is not among the plan for state police. The FCT issue is different. It is under the Federal Government.”
He explained that the absence of a governor and state legislature means the FCT cannot adopt the same policing structure being proposed for individual states.
“The federal capital does not have an assembly. The National Assembly is the body that makes laws for the Federal Capital Territory.
“That’s why it has to be the same as what the Federal Government does. So, the federal police are responsible.”
Under the proposed arrangement, states would have greater responsibility for policing within their jurisdictions, marking a significant departure from Nigeria’s existing centrally controlled policing structure.
The debate over state police has intensified in recent years amid persistent concerns over kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and other security challenges across different parts of the country.
Supporters argue that decentralised policing would allow states to respond more effectively to local security threats, while concerns have also been raised about funding, accountability and the potential for political abuse of state-controlled security forces.
Adaramodu’s explanation comes as work continues on the legal framework required to establish state police in Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu is expected to receive the draft of the Executive National Policing Bill on September 3, as the Federal Government moves forward with plans to restructure the country’s policing system.
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