2027: Govs rejig security outfits ahead of state police take-off
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, governors across the country are strengthening and repositioning existing vigilance and community security outfits in anticipation of the proposed establishment of state police, even as the constitutional amendment required to give effect to the new policing arrangement remains unfinished.
Investigations by Daily Sun correspondents across the federation revealed that several states have stepped up recruitment and training of security personnel, appointed commanders, approved operational vehicles and uniforms, reviewed existing security laws and developed administrative structures that could eventually provide the foundation for state police services.
While some governors have openly identified existing security organisations as potential take-off platforms, others are expanding community protection arrangements and strengthening their security architecture without formally announcing plans to convert the outfits into state police.
Although the investigations did not establish that the measures were specifically designed to influence the elections, the prospect of state-controlled police services has renewed questions about political interference, recruitment standards, funding, command structures and safeguards against possible abuse of power.
The proposed constitutional amendment, transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly by the National Assembly on September 16, had secured the approval of only five states — Edo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers and Zamfara — as of October 15.
Under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the proposal requires the approval of at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, representing 24 states, before the constitutional alteration process can be concluded.
The National Assembly had requested that the state legislatures communicate their decisions within 30 days, although the period was an administrative target rather than a constitutional deadline.
The slow pace of legislative approval contrasts with developments in several states, where existing vigilance organisations have continued to receive personnel, equipment and administrative support.
The Presidency, meanwhile, disclosed on Thursday that the proposed National Policing Bill, which is expected to provide an operational framework for the decentralised policing arrangement, was 90 per cent ready for transmission to the National Assembly.
Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, who chairs the Presidential Working Group on the legislation, said the bill could be transmitted within two weeks after outstanding issues were resolved.
“The National Policing Bill is more or less ready for transmission to the National Assembly. We will probably have one more meeting after this to cross the t’s and dot the i’s and make sure every area is covered. So, we are 90% ready,” he said.
Gbajabiamila acknowledged that governors still had observations on the proposed legislation but expressed confidence that the outstanding issues would be resolved.
“The governors have one or two observations, and we should be ready in about a week or so,” he added.
Despite the unfinished legislative processes, investigations across the states revealed varying levels of preparedness, with some governments pursuing identifiable transition arrangements while others have concentrated on strengthening existing security outfits.
In Kaduna, the government has gone beyond expressions of support for state policing by identifying the Kaduna State Vigilance Service as the potential foundation for the proposed arrangement.
Commissioner for Internal Security, Sule Shu’aibu, said the existing vigilance organisation would serve as the “take-off” platform for state policing when the necessary legal framework becomes operational.
According to him, the government has reviewed the law governing the outfit, developed operating procedures and trained about 300 personnel as part of efforts to strengthen its capacity.
The state’s revised 2024 budget also made provision of N49.95 million for uniforms, reflecting earlier investment in the vigilance organisation.
In Plateau, the government has constituted a 14-member committee headed by retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police Habila Joshak to develop a framework for state policing.
The committee, inaugurated on March 10, has held public engagements across the three senatorial districts as part of consultations on the proposed arrangement.
The state is also considering building on its existing Operation Rainbow security outfit, which graduated 1,450 operatives in December 2025.
The consultations and training arrangements have placed Plateau among states with identifiable preparatory structures, although the eventual composition and command of a state police service would depend on the enabling legislation.
Taraba has equally strengthened its Marshall security outfit, appointing commanders across the state’s 16 local government areas and two special development areas.
The government has provided Hilux vehicles, introduced distinct uniforms and approved outstanding allowances for personnel, while arrangements to integrate operatives into the civil service payroll have commenced.
Although the Marshall organisation currently operates within the state’s existing security framework, its expanded command structure and administrative arrangements could become relevant should the government decide to establish a state police service.
In Imo, Governor Hope Uzodimma inaugurated 7,000 vigilance personnel in January following training at the Police College, Nekede.
The operatives reportedly receive monthly remuneration ranging from N100,000 to N130,000, while the government has continued to express support for the establishment of state police.
Reports that some personnel were equipped with pump-action firearms also raise questions about the legal authorisation, training and supervision of armed operatives within existing community security arrangements.
In Delta, the government has continued to strengthen its security infrastructure through Operation Delta Sweep, a rebranded version of Delta Hawk, which receives funding through the state’s security arrangements.
The State Executive Council approved N34 billion in March for the construction of 25 divisional police headquarters, a development that reflects substantial investment in policing infrastructure, although the project has not been established as part of a formal state police transition programme.
Government sources indicated that existing vigilance organisations could eventually be accommodated within a broader security structure under the proposed policing arrangement.
However, the State House of Assembly had yet to approve the constitutional amendment, while details of any formal transition framework remained unclear.
Benue has also expanded its community protection arrangements through the Civil Protection Guards, launched in December 2024 with 5,000 personnel.
The organisation has a legal framework and receives budgetary support, while the government has indicated plans to recruit an additional 5,000 operatives.
Officials said stakeholder consultations on the proposed state policing arrangement had commenced, although uniforms specifically intended for a future state police service had not been procured.
In Zamfara, where banditry and attacks on rural communities remain major security concerns, the government has strengthened the leadership of its Community Protection Guards, popularly known as Askarawa.
The organisation, established under a 2024 law and funded through the State Security Trust Fund, recently received a new commandant, retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Muhammad Shehu.
Although the outfit is not operating as a state police service, its existing personnel and command structure could provide an institutional base for future security reforms.
Bayelsa has similarly maintained its Community Safety Corps, established under a 2021 law that replaced earlier vigilance legislation.
The organisation operates with identifiable uniforms and security equipment, while its coordinator, Brigadier-General Eric Angaye, was recently screened for another four-year tenure.
