Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu says State Police will deepen community policing and improve intelligence gathering. Disu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York on Friday that the initiative would boost community-based policing and improve intelligence gathering.

He spoke at the UN Chiefs of Police Summit at the UN headquarters, where Nigeria's commitment to peacekeeping was hailed as a global pride. According to Disu, Nigeria's UN peacekeeping record remains one of the best in the world, with the country never failing UN peacekeeping missions. The IGP said Nigeria remained one of the United Nations' most dependable peacekeeping contributors, with enormous sacrifices in global peacekeeping.

The State Police Bill seeks to move policing from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent legislative list of the Constitution. This will empower state governments to establish, fund, and operate their own police forces alongside the Nigeria Police Force, which is centrally controlled by the federal government. Disu, however, said implementation would involve extensive consultations, comparative studies, and capacity building before full operationalisation. “We are still at the teething stage. We need experience, education, and comparative studies from jurisdictions already practising state police.”

Disu expressed confidence that state police would strengthen collaboration between federal and state security institutions. “It will bring policing closer to the people because officers will better understand the communities they serve. It will take us back to the era when almost everybody knew those policing their communities.” The police chief said closer community engagement would improve intelligence gathering, public trust, and rapid response to security threats.

Nigeria began participating in UN peacekeeping in Congo in 1960 and has remained a dependable contributor ever since. “There is virtually no UN mission where you will not find Nigerian personnel serving with distinction,” Disu said. The IGP praised Nigerian security personnel serving worldwide, saying Nigeria has contributed troops, police officers, and enormous sacrifices.

The IGP reaffirmed Nigeria's longstanding commitment to United Nations peacekeeping operations across the world. Nigeria's sacrifices strengthen global peace, Disu said. The UN Chiefs of Police Summit provided a platform for Disu to discuss Nigeria's peacekeeping efforts and its commitment to innovation and professionalism.

According to Disu, the Nigeria Police Force has remained committed to innovation, professionalism, and strategic partnerships to sustain peace, stability, and national development. The IGP said Nigeria's peacekeeping record serves as a model for other countries, demonstrating the country's willingness to work towards a safer global environment.

Key Facts

  • Nigeria has participated in peacekeeping efforts in Congo since 1960.
  • Nigeria has contributed troops, police officers, and enormous sacrifices to peacekeeping efforts worldwide.
  • The State Police Bill seeks to move policing from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent legislative list of the Constitution.
  • State police is expected to deepen community policing and improve intelligence gathering.
  • The Nigeria Police Force has remained committed to innovation, professionalism, and strategic partnerships to sustain peace, stability, and national development.