Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has directed the State Police Advisory Committee to subject its draft report on the proposed establishment of state police to wider stakeholder consultations before finalising the framework.
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 the country’s 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 nation’s security architecture.
According to Mutfwang, the current centralised structure of the Nigeria Police Force is too large to deliver optimal effectiveness, making a decentralised policing system necessary to address security challenges that vary from one community to another.
The Governor, however, stressed the need for adequate safeguards to prevent the possible abuse of state police by governors or other authorities.
He said the push for state police was not a reflection of a loss of confidence in the existing police structure, commending the Nigeria Police Force, particularly the Police Mobile Force, for its contribution to maintaining peace in Plateau State.
Mutfwang urged the committee to involve academics, technocrats, traditional rulers and other relevant stakeholders in validating the draft report to ensure that the proposed framework reflects the realities and security needs of Plateau State.
He expressed optimism that the National Assembly would expedite consideration of the state police initiative when it resumes.
The Governor, who is a member of the implementation committee of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, said the report would also enable him to contribute meaningfully to the broader national process on state policing.
Mutfwang disclosed that the procurement process for security cameras promised by President Tinubu had commenced following a technical assessment of security infrastructure across the state.
He said Plateau had already invested substantially in security infrastructure, including the establishment of a modern control centre, but noted that greater attention was needed to ensure existing facilities were fully operational and effective.
The Governor also 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 the construction of permanent barracks for the military formations.
On community security, Mutfwang emphasised the need for traditional rulers to 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 efforts to provide 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.
She said the committee had also undertaken consultations with traditional rulers, the State House of Assembly, security institutions and relevant federal authorities.
According to Sanda, the committee had completed drafts of the Plateau State Police Service Establishment Law 2026 and the Plateau State Police Service Regulations 2026.
She added that further consultations would be conducted across the 17 local government areas of the state before the documents are subjected to final validation.
