The Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) has thrown its weight behind the growing calls for the establishment of state police, describing it as a practical and effective strategy for tackling Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.
The Centre, however, cautioned that the constitutional, legal and institutional frameworks required for the implementation of state policing should not be delayed. It also stressed the need for adequate safeguards to ensure professionalism, accountability and protection against abuse.
Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja while presenting the Centre’s Second Quarter 2026 National Security and Stability Report, Chairman of the CCC, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade (Rtd), said the country’s security situation has deteriorated significantly amid rising insecurity, economic hardship, disinformation and growing ethno-religious tensions.
According to him, the report, produced by the Centre’s Crisis Communication Bureau (CCB), shows that Nigeria is facing an increasingly complex security environment marked by persistent terrorist attacks, mass kidnappings, violent banditry, farmer-herder clashes, the resurgence of extremist groups and the growing use of artificial intelligence-driven disinformation campaigns.
“The Centre expresses deep concern over the convergence of escalating insecurity, widespread disinformation, severe economic hardship and intensifying ethno-religious polarisation—a combination that poses significant risks to national stability and social cohesion,” Olukolade said.
He urged State Houses of Assembly to expedite consideration and passage of the state police bill, insisting that the proposed state police structure must be adequately funded, properly trained and equipped with modern weapons and technology to effectively complement existing security agencies.
“State police should not become a lame-duck institution. It must be adequately equipped with modern weapons, supported with advanced training and empowered to respond effectively to emerging security threats,” he said.
While commending the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies for recent operational successes, particularly the rescue of kidnapped victims and the disruption of terrorist activities, Olukolade noted that criminal groups continue to adapt and evolve their tactics.
“This reality underscores the urgent need for more robust, coordinated and intelligence-driven responses across all security formations,” he added.
The report also warned that Nigeria is witnessing an unprecedented rise in fake news, manipulated multimedia content, AI-generated disinformation and inflammatory narratives capable of undermining public confidence in state institutions and complicating security operations.
According to the Centre, the spread of misinformation has aggravated social tensions and poses a serious threat to national security, especially as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections begin to gather momentum.
“As political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gradually intensify, the deliberate spread of false information and hate speech has become an increasingly potent threat to national peace and democratic stability,” Olukolade said.
The Centre maintained that addressing Nigeria’s security challenges requires a whole-of-society approach anchored on professionalism, intelligence-led operations, strategic communication, responsible leadership and active citizen participation.
It therefore called on government institutions, security agencies, political parties, religious and traditional leaders, civil society organisations, the media and citizens to work together to combat misinformation, promote responsible public communication and strengthen national unity above sectional and political interests.