Nigeria's Oshiomhole pushes state police reform

Former Edo governor and Edo North senator Adams Oshiomhole urged the creation of state police in Nigeria during a town‑hall meeting hosted by Arise Television. He argued that governors, as constitutional chief security officers, cannot effectively protect lives and property without operational control over policing, and that a decentralized force would align responsibility with authority.

Oshiomhole said state police would complement, not replace, the federal Nigeria Police Force, citing the United States as a model. He dismissed fears of abuse, noting that misuse of power already exists under the current centralized system and should be addressed through democratic accountability. He referenced the recent passage of a bill on state police by both chambers of the National Assembly, calling for swift implementation.