The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has warned against a rushed constitutional amendment to create state police.
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It also urged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to ensure wider consultations before taking a final decision on the proposed reform.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its Secretary-General, Nafiu Baba Ahmad, the Council noted that it had been closely monitoring the ongoing national debate and legislative process on state police, describing the issue as one with far-reaching implications for justice, national unity and the country’s future.
The Council acknowledged that Nigeria was facing one of the gravest security crises in its history, with thousands of innocent lives lost, millions displaced and widespread destruction of agriculture, businesses and livelihoods, leaving many communities living in fear.
According to the Council, while every sincere effort aimed at improving national security should be welcomed, state police should not be presented as a quick or magical solution to the country’s security challenges.
The SCSN argued that the failures of the existing security architecture were rooted largely in inadequate funding, corruption, insufficient personnel, poor welfare, weak intelligence gathering, obsolete equipment and ineffective coordination among security agencies.
It maintained that these structural deficiencies would not disappear simply by transferring policing powers to state governments, insisting that the country’s immediate priority should be the comprehensive reform and strengthening of existing security institutions through better funding, recruitment, modern technology, intelligence gathering, border security, accountability and professionalism.
The Council also expressed concern over what it called the apparent haste with which constitutional amendments on the issue were being pursued, stressing that changes affecting Nigeria’s security architecture should never be rushed but should instead be subjected to broad national consultations, transparent public hearings and genuine consensus among stakeholders.
It said it was disappointed with the proceedings of the National Assembly, noting that many Nigerians believed the process had fallen short of the openness, inclusiveness and thorough consultations expected of such a critical constitutional matter.
The Council, however, commended lawmakers who insisted on due process, wider consultations and the national interest, saying their principled stand reflected the essence of democratic representation and deserved the appreciation of Nigerians.
It further cautioned against any arrangement that could allow state police to become instruments of political intimidation or discrimination, warning that Nigeria’s complex religious, ethnic and political diversity required a policing system that guarantees equal protection for every citizen under the Constitution.
The SCSN therefore called for strong constitutional safeguards, independent oversight institutions, transparent and merit-based recruitment, professional training standards, effective complaints mechanisms, judicial and legislative oversight, sustainable funding and firm guarantees against abuse of power before any state police structure is established.
It urged President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the National Assembly, state governments and other relevant stakeholders to conclude comprehensive nationwide consultations and adequately address the concerns of Nigerians before proceeding with any constitutional amendment on state police, while praying that Almighty Allah grants the nation’s leaders the wisdom and sincerity to make decisions that will strengthen justice, preserve national unity and restore lasting peace and security.
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