Gov. Mutfwang Receives State Police Report, Orders Wider Consultation
By Our Reporter
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang on Wednesday said the establishment of state police is necessary to strengthen Nigeria’s internal security, describing the current centralized police structure as too large to be effective.
Mutfwang spoke at the New Government House, Rayfield, Jos, while receiving a progress report from the Plateau State Police Advisory Committee.
The Governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for taking bold steps towards decentralizing the nation’s security architecture and actualizing true federalism.
“The current centralized structure of the Nigeria Police Force is too large for optimal effectiveness. State police will enhance efficiency and enable states to respond more effectively to local security challenges,” Mutfwang said.
He added that safeguards must be put in place to prevent abuse of state police by governors or other authorities.
He clarified that the call for state police was not due to loss of confidence in the Nigeria Police Force, and commended the Force, particularly the Police Mobile Force, for its role in maintaining peace in Plateau.
Mutfwang directed the committee, inaugurated in March 2026, to subject its draft report to broader stakeholder validation before finalizing it. He asked the committee to engage academics, technocrats, traditional rulers and other stakeholders.
He expressed optimism that the National Assembly would accelerate action on the state police initiative when it resumes, noting that as a member of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum implementation committee, Plateau’s report would contribute meaningfully to the national process.
On security infrastructure, the Governor said procurement of security cameras promised by President Tinubu has commenced after a technical assessment. He said Plateau has invested heavily in security, including a modern control centre, and is working to make existing facilities more operational.
He also announced that additional military formations have been approved for the state, including battalions in Riyom, Mangu and Wase, and a brigade in Langtang, with efforts ongoing to secure temporary sites and land for permanent barracks.
Mutfwang stressed that policing is a community affair and appealed to traditional rulers to support the state police framework and help provide land for security installations.
Earlier, Chairman of the Committee, DIG Habila Joshak (rtd), said the current security architecture is inadequate for emerging challenges and called for more stakeholder input to create a workable police service for the state.
Director-General of the Plateau State Peace Building Agency, Mrs. Julie Sanda, who presented the report, said the committee has completed preliminary reports from its subcommittees and held consultations with traditional rulers, the State House of Assembly, security institutions and federal authorities.
She said drafts of the Plateau State Police Service Establishment Law 2026 and the Plateau State Police Service Regulations 2026 have been completed, with further consultations planned across the 17 local government areas before final validation.
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