AANI advocates for establishment of state police says accountability, societal orientation remain critical

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

The Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) has called for urgent and comprehensive reforms to Nigeria’s security architecture, with a strong push for the establishment of state police, while emphasizing that justice, accountability, and societal orientation remain critical to achieving lasting peace.
This was the thrust of discussions at AANI’s 46th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and National Colloquium, held in Abuja, under the theme: “State Police and Community Policing: Challenges, Options and Opportunities.”
The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, who was the Special Guest of Honour, underscored that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is fully committed to tackling the security challenges bedeviling the nation.
The DG DSS emphasized that beyond structural reforms, Nigeria must confront deeper issues of trust gaps and societal orientation.
He charged community rulers, religious leaders, and grassroots mobilizers to rise to their responsibilities, noting that security is not only institutional but a shared societal duty.
He further reiterated the centrality of justice, stating that “where there is justice, peace comes naturally,” underscoring fairness and equity as the foundation of national stability.
The DG noted that State Policing is not only a legitimate exercise of state authority to tackle immediate threats, but also one of the most effective mechanisms for coordinating and harmonising Nigeria’s numerous quasi-law enforcement outfits currently operating across states.
The high-level event, chaired by Professor Tijjani Bande, former Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations and Director General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), attracted key stakeholders including the Director General of NIPSS, Professor Ayo Omotayo, representatives of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Head of Service of the Federation, Chief of Defence Staff, Inspector General of Police, Nigerian Navy, and other Service Chiefs, as well as delegations from Zamfara and Sokoto State Governments, alongside senior security and intelligence officials.