Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Ndubuisi Kalu, has reiterated his call for a decentralised policing structure, arguing that Nigeria’s highly centralised security system is incapable of effectively addressing the country’s increasingly diverse and complex security challenges.
Speaking at the Nigerian People’s Strategic Conference and Defence Exhibition 2026 in Abuja over the weekend, Kalu stressed that the nature of security threats varies across regions, making it imperative to empower local authorities and communities to respond more effectively.
He also identified effective local governance as a critical component of the fight against insecurity, noting that many governance and development challenges originate at the grassroots level. According to him, strengthening local government institutions would improve service delivery, promote accountability and help address conditions that fuel insecurity.
Kalu said: “I have consistently argued that a highly centralised policing system cannot adequately address the diverse and complex security realities of a country with over 220 million people, 36 states and 774 local government areas.
“State policing will reduce response times, improve intelligence gathering and enable security personnel to operate within communities they understand culturally, linguistically and socially.
“The bill now proceeds to the Senate and subsequently to the State Houses of Assembly for consideration.
“I urge all stakeholders to view this reform not as a political project but as a patriotic necessity.”
Highlighting recent legislative progress, the Deputy Speaker added: “The State Police Bill, which I proudly sponsored, successfully passed through the House after decades of debate and repeated attempts by previous assemblies.
“This represents a historic development in Nigeria’s constitutional and security evolution.
“For more than three decades, proposals for state policing repeatedly failed to gain traction. However, the realities of our current security challenges compelled us to rethink existing structures and embrace new approaches.
“The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the proposal, reflecting a broad national consensus that our security architecture must evolve.”
Kalu further emphasised the importance of private sector participation in national security, insisting that businesses should be regarded as indispensable partners rather than mere stakeholders.
According to him, Nigeria’s National Security Strategy acknowledges the complexity of modern threats, including terrorism, violent extremism, kidnapping, organised crime, cybercrime and economic sabotage.
“No single institution, regardless of its resources, can effectively address these challenges alone.
“The private sector controls much of the infrastructure that powers modern society, including telecommunications systems, financial networks, logistics corridors and technology platforms.
“Businesses also create employment opportunities that can prevent vulnerable youths from being recruited into criminal and extremist networks,” he said.
In his remarks, Senator Osita Izunaso, who represents Imo West Senatorial District in the 10th Senate, echoed similar concerns, describing Nigeria’s security challenges as complex and multifaceted.
He said: “The private sector controls much of the infrastructure that powers modern society, including telecommunications networks, financial systems, technology platforms and logistics infrastructure.
“When businesses invest in communities, create jobs, support education and contribute to local development, they are not merely pursuing profit; they are contributing to national security.”
Izunaso further noted that while military operations can suppress threats, lasting peace can only be achieved by addressing the root causes of insecurity.
He stressed that poverty, unemployment, weak governance, social exclusion, poor education and declining societal values must be tackled to guarantee sustainable security across the country.
The conference was themed: “Building a Modern Security Ecosystem: Integrating Private Sector Capacity Into Nigeria’s National Security Architecture.”
Linus Aleke
Follow us on:
