Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has directed the State Police Advisory Committee to submit its draft framework for wider stakeholder consultation before finalising plans for the establishment of a state police service.
Mutfwang gave the directive on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, when the committee presented its progress report to him at the New Government House, Rayfield, Jos.
The governor described state police as a necessary step towards strengthening Nigeria’s internal security architecture, arguing that decentralised policing would help states respond more effectively to evolving security challenges.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as bold steps towards advancing true federalism, particularly through efforts to decentralise the country’s security architecture.
According to Mutfwang, the current centralised structure of the Nigeria Police Force is too large for optimal effectiveness, while a state police system would allow security responses to be better tailored to local realities.
He, however, stressed the need for safeguards to prevent state police from being abused by governors or other authorities.
Mutfwang said the push for state police was not driven by a loss of confidence in the existing police structure. He commended the Nigeria Police Force, particularly the Police Mobile Force, for its contribution to maintaining peace in Plateau State.
The governor directed the committee to consult academics, technocrats, traditional rulers and other relevant stakeholders to validate the draft report and ensure that the proposed framework reflects the security realities and needs of Plateau State.
He also expressed optimism that the National Assembly would expedite consideration of the state police initiative when it resumes.
Mutfwang said his membership of the implementation committee of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum would enable him to contribute meaningfully to the national process using the findings contained in the state’s report.
The governor also disclosed that procurement had commenced for security cameras promised by President Tinubu following a technical assessment of the state’s security infrastructure.
He said Plateau had already made substantial investments in security, including the establishment of a modern control centre, but emphasised the need to make existing infrastructure more operational and effective.
Mutfwang further disclosed that additional military formations had been approved for deployment to Plateau State, including battalions in Riyom, Mangu and Wase, as well as a brigade in Langtang.
He said the state government was working to identify temporary locations and acquire land for permanent barracks for the formations.
On community security, Mutfwang said traditional rulers must play a central role in the proposed state policing framework, describing policing as a community affair.
He appealed to traditional rulers to help restore the spirit of communal responsibility, particularly by supporting the provision of land for public infrastructure and security installations.
Earlier, Chairman of the State Police Advisory Committee, DIG Habila Joshak, said the existing security architecture was inadequate to effectively address emerging security challenges.
Joshak urged stakeholders to contribute their ideas towards developing a workable and effective police service for Plateau State.
Presenting the committee’s progress report, Director-General of the Plateau State Peace Building Agency, Mrs Julie Sanda, said the committee had completed preliminary reports from its various subcommittees and conducted consultations with traditional rulers, the State House of Assembly, security institutions and relevant federal authorities.
She said the committee had also completed drafts of the Plateau State Police Service Establishment Law 2026 and the Plateau State Police Service Regulations 2026.
Sanda added that further consultations would be conducted across the state’s 17 local government areas before final validation of the documents.
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