The National Economic Council (NEC) has moved closer to the establishment of state policing across Nigeria following extensive deliberations at a meeting held on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. 

The discussions, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, are part of ongoing efforts to tackle the country’s rising security challenges and explore decentralized policing solutions.

Despite significant progress, the Vice President has directed four states, whose names have not been disclosed, to submit their reports on the establishment of state police by Monday, September 9, 2024. 

The council emphasized the importance of these reports as part of a broader national framework. NEC made it clear that any state failing to meet the September 9 deadline will have no further say in the decision-making process. The council also warned that the decisions reached on state policing will be binding on all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), regardless of their participation in the final deliberations.

Shettima noted that establishing state police is a critical policy aimed at enhancing security at the grassroots level and urged all states to contribute fully to the discussion to ensure the framework is comprehensive and reflective of the diverse needs across Nigeria. 

In addition to pressing the remaining four states to submit their input, NEC plans to adopt comprehensive reports from the other 32 states and the FCT in a special session scheduled for Monday.