Five Nigerian States Plan to Convert Existing Security Outfits into State Police.

Five Nigerian states—Ondo, Kaduna, Anambra, Zamfara, and Abia—have announced plans to transform their existing security outfits into state police once the constitutional process establishing the new policing system is completed.

The move follows the passage of the Executive Bill on state police by the House of Representatives, marking a major step toward decentralizing Nigeria's policing system.

Officials in the five states said their current security agencies already have trained personnel, operational experience, community trust, and knowledge of local security challenges, making them suitable foundations for state police.

In Ondo State, the government said the Amotekun Corps has the structure, experience, and manpower needed for a smooth transition into a state police force.

Kaduna State plans to strengthen the Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KADVIS), with officials revealing that personnel are already undergoing additional training in preparation for the proposed policing system.

Zamfara State said its Civilian Protection Guards (CPG) could be converted into state police due to their experience in tackling insecurity across the state.

The Anambra State Government stated that its Agunechemba security outfit would be restructured to meet the requirements of the new state police framework, while Abia intends to merge its Homeland Security outfit with community vigilante groups.

Meanwhile, Bayelsa, Yobe, Imo, Benue, Kebbi, Sokoto, Ogun, and Ekiti states said they would wait for the completion of the constitutional process, presidential assent, and implementation guidelines before deciding whether to integrate existing security outfits into the proposed state police system.

Delta State, however, has chosen a different approach. The state government said it plans to establish an entirely new state police structure rather than converting existing vigilante groups. It also disclosed that police headquarters are being built in all 25 local government areas in preparation for the new policing arrangement.

Supporters of the proposal believe using existing security outfits will reduce costs, speed up implementation, and improve community-based policing, while other states prefer to await the final legal framework before making any commitments.

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