Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno-South senatorial district, has expressed support for the establishment of state police in Nigeria but insisted that critical legal, operational and funding issues must be addressed before the initiative can be successfully implemented.
The lawmaker also called for a review of government spending, admitting that members of the National Assembly are overpaid while security agencies remain underfunded.
Speaking during a television interview on Friday, Ndume said the creation of state police could help tackle insecurity across the country, especially given the shortage of personnel in the Nigeria Police Force.
He noted that all state governors had unanimously endorsed the proposal, describing it as a major step towards improving grassroots security.
However, he stressed that a proper framework must be put in place to guide the operation, funding and accountability of state police formations. “My major concern is the practical and legal framework. We need to carefully consider the legal implications, how state police will be funded, how they will operate, and the mechanisms for accountability”, he said.
According to him, Nigeria currently falls short of the United Nations recommendation of between 200 and 400 police officers per 100,000 people, making it difficult for the existing police force to effectively secure the country’s growing population. Ndume argued that state police, if properly structured and adequately funded, could significantly strengthen security and complement federal efforts.
The senator also linked the country’s security challenges to what he described as misplaced spending priorities, urging the government to channel more resources towards the military and other security agencies.
He maintained that discussions on security funding must include a review of the high cost of governance, particularly the salaries and allowances of public office holders.
Ndume admitted that lawmakers, including himself, receive more remuneration than necessary at a time when soldiers and police officers who risk their lives daily are not adequately rewarded. “And it is not only the government you are asking about funding. How much are they paying each senator? And what am I doing? I think I am being overpaid. Or we are being overpaid. Or the government is overpaying itself”, he said.
He urged the Federal Government to reassess its spending priorities, arguing that reducing the cost of governance would free up more resources for security, infrastructure and other critical sectors.
