Tinubu Vows to Establish State Police, Seeks United Front Against Insecurity

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that the time has come for the creation of state police, describing it as a decisive step toward strengthening Nigeria’s fight against insecurity.

The President made the announcement on Monday night during an Iftar dinner with governors at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he underscored the urgency of tackling banditry, terrorism and other forms of criminality across the country.

“What I promised you will not be postponed. We will establish state police to combat insecurity. Start looking around you,” Tinubu told the governors.

The call follows earlier deliberations by governors at the National Economic Council (NEC), where consensus was reached on the need for state police to address growing security challenges and ungoverned spaces exploited by terrorists and kidnappers.

However, operational modalities and the framework for collaboration with federal security agencies are yet to be finalised.

The dinner was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, members of the Federal Executive Council, about 20 state governors and other dignitaries. Tinubu noted that other groups would also be invited to break the Ramadan fast with him in keeping with established tradition.

Beyond security, the President urged governors to intensify grassroots development to ensure citizens feel the tangible benefits of democracy.

“I appeal again, let’s go further to embrace the downtrodden, the young ones and all our supporters. Be all-encompassing and let’s spread development opportunities to the grassroots, the local governments,” he said.

Tinubu described the rare overlap of the Muslim Ramadan and the Christian Lenten season as symbolic, noting that both periods represent discipline, sacrifice, faith and resilience. He called for unity and mutual love among Nigerians.

Commending governors for progress recorded in their respective states, he remarked that “the reward of hard work is more work.”

He singled out Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago, whom he fondly described as “my son, the farmer from Niger,” and praised Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum for his Ramadan outreach efforts to both Christians and Muslims.

Addressing internal political tensions, Tinubu advised members of his party to exercise tolerance during ongoing congresses.

“I will advise those who are in the same party with me to please bear in mind that those little ones, too, do cry. Tolerate everybody. Build the structure in this period of faith, unity, harmony and sacrifice that you are preaching. Do it. Let the young ones breathe,” he said.

Acknowledging that governance inevitably attracts both criticism and commendation, the President called for unity of purpose.

“There are a lot of complaints and commendations coming from all angles. They will come at me too, but as long as we brace together, move together and determine to rescue this country, the best is yet to come for Nigeria.

“We’re out of the woods. We’re out of the dark tunnel of uncertainty. The economy is picking up. Let’s help those who are unemployed,” Tinubu added.