Police prepare officers for state police as IGP backs reform process

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has declared its readiness to support the implementation of state police if approved, assuring that professionalism, accountability and operational excellence will remain central to the new policing framework.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, gave the assurance while declaring open a one-day sensitisation workshop on state police organised by the Nigeria Institute of Police Studies (NIPS).

He said the workshop was aimed at equipping police officers with the knowledge and capacity to participate constructively in discussions on state police and to effectively adapt to any future policing reforms.

The IGP encouraged participants to maximise the opportunity provided by the workshop and cascade the knowledge gained to officers in their respective commands and formations to ensure a shared understanding of the proposed reform across the Force.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Nigeria Institute of Police Studies, Professor Olu Ogunshakin, praised the Inspector-General for establishing the Nigeria Police Force Steering Committee on State Police.

He noted that a number of the committee’s recommendations have been incorporated into the proposed State Police Bill, describing the development as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s policing reform agenda.

The sensitisation workshop is part of the Nigeria Police Force’s broader efforts to position its personnel for emerging reforms while strengthening operational efficiency and sustaining public confidence in policing.