The National Economic Council (NEC) has deferred discussions on the establishment of state police, despite growing concerns over the surge in violent attacks across several regions in Nigeria. The decision was made during the council’s 149th meeting, held Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri confirmed that while the topic was on the agenda, it was not addressed due to time constraints. “State police was part of our agenda today, but unfortunately, because of time demands and after a very long meeting, the presentations could not get to that point,” he said, assuring that the matter would be thoroughly addressed in the next session.
Although NEC meetings are traditionally held on the last Thursday of each month, their frequency has dwindled in recent months. The last meaningful discussion on state police occurred in December 2024, when all 36 governors and the FCT Minister endorsed the proposal for a decentralized police system. Despite that consensus, the topic has yet to receive focused attention in subsequent meetings.
The postponement comes amid widespread insecurity, with recent attacks in Plateau, Benue, Borno, and Enugu states claiming dozens of lives. During Thursday’s meeting, governors observed a minute of silence for victims of the ongoing violence.
In response to the rising insecurity, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum has advocated for increased recruitment into security agencies and the deployment of technology-driven strategies. A new committee has also been formed to collaborate with heads of security agencies to develop a joint response to the crisis.
Governor Diri also highlighted new initiatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, particularly its emphasis on cattle ranching as a modern solution to persistent farmer-herder conflicts. “The sector is being modernized, and more importantly, emphasis is being placed on cattle ranching and peace-building,” he said.
While stakeholders continue to call for urgent reforms, including the adoption of state policing, the delay in NEC’s discussions has fueled concerns about the government’s pace in addressing Nigeria’s growing security challenges.
