The senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Enyinnaya Abaribe, has advised the Federal Government against placing funds allocated for state police under the direct control of state governments.
Abaribe argued that financial allocations meant for state policing should be constitutionally guaranteed and paid directly to the commission responsible for managing state police operations.
The lawmaker made the submission during deliberations on the floor of the Senate on the proposed constitutional amendment titled: “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 to Provide for the Establishment of State Police; and for Related Matters (Sixth Alteration).”
According to him, direct constitutional funding would help avoid challenges similar to those associated with the management of local government allocations.
He stated that the proposed funding model would ensure operational independence and reduce the risk of interference that could undermine the effectiveness of state police institutions.
Abaribe warned that inadequate funding structures could create unintended consequences for security management across states.
Drawing from the security realities in the South-East, the senator expressed concern that poorly funded state police formations could lead to excessive checkpoints and pressure on officers to generate operational resources independently.
He noted that his earlier opposition to state police had changed due to the growing complexity of insecurity across the country.
According to him, addressing Nigeria’s security challenges now requires new approaches and innovative thinking beyond existing structures.
Abaribe further observed that states currently have greater financial capacity than before and cautioned that financial control over policing structures could significantly influence operational decisions.
His comments come as the National Assembly continues deliberations on constitutional amendments aimed at restructuring Nigeria’s policing architecture and expanding security responsibilities at the subnational level.
