Governors Who Abuse State Police Powers Will Face Federal Action — Senate

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, has assured Nigerians that adequate safeguards have been built into the newly passed State Police Bill to prevent governors from abusing the proposed security structure for political or personal interests.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, Adaramodu said any governor found using state police to pursue partisan, religious, or sectional agendas would face sanctions, including federal intervention.

His remarks came shortly after the Senate passed the much-debated State Police Bill, a move aimed at strengthening security architecture across the country.

According to the lawmaker, the legislation empowers federal authorities to step in whenever a state police command operates outside its constitutional mandate.

“If it is perceived that a governor is using state police to pursue a partisan, religious, or sectional agenda, the federal police can intervene,” Adaramodu said.

“The law provides that the federal police can take over the roles and functions of a state police force if it is found to be operating outside its constitutional mandate. These safeguards are designed to ensure that state police are not used for personal or political interests.”

Addressing concerns over funding, the senator explained that the responsibility of financing state police would be shared between the federal and state governments.

He noted that the federal government would provide additional financial support to ensure state police formations are adequately equipped and capable of handling their security responsibilities.

“The responsibility for funding state police will not rest solely on the states. The federal government will also play a role by providing additional funding to ensure state police are well-equipped and adequately resourced to carry out the growing security responsibilities entrusted to them,” he stated.

The passage of the State Police Bill marks a significant step in Nigeria’s efforts to address rising security challenges, though debates continue over its implementation and the potential implications for the country’s federal structure.