President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the proposed establishment of state police will include constitutional safeguards to prevent abuse by state governors, as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to overhaul the country’s security architecture in response to growing insecurity.

The President gave the assurance on Thursday while receiving members of the Oyo State Council of Obas, led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Ladoja, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Tinubu said the Federal Government recognises public concerns that state police could be manipulated for political purposes, stressing that the proposed policing system would be built on strong institutional checks and balances to ensure professionalism, accountability and respect for the rule of law.

“There will be state police. That state police will have guardrails from abuses. We’ll protect it from abuses, and you traditional rulers too will have roles to play,” the President said.

The President disclosed that traditional rulers would be integrated into the accountability framework for state policing, arguing that their grassroots presence and knowledge of local communities make them critical partners in maintaining security and ensuring the new policing system is not misused.

The proposal marks one of the clearest indications yet of how the Federal Government intends to address longstanding fears that governors could deploy state police against political opponents or dissenting voices.

The issue has remained one of the most contentious aspects of the ongoing constitutional review, with proponents arguing that decentralised policing is necessary to tackle rising insecurity, while critics have warned against possible political interference.

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Beyond state police, Tinubu announced plans to strengthen the operational capacity of forest guards as part of a broader strategy to deny criminal gangs safe havens across Nigeria’s forests.

According to him, the role of forest guards would be expanded beyond environmental protection to include active participation in combating banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

“We are equally enhancing the capacity and capability of the forest guards; they are not just to chase antelopes and animals. We are going to have them chase the criminals and deal with them in various forests,” he said.

The renewed focus on forest security comes amid increasing concerns that forests across several parts of the country have become operational bases for kidnappers, bandits and terrorist group

Tinubu also revealed that the Federal Government has established four additional divisions of the Nigerian Army, increasing the total number from eight to twelve as part of efforts to improve military response to security threats nationwide.

He explained that the expansion would strengthen the military’s operational capacity, enhance troop deployment and improve rapid response to emerging security challenges.

According to the President, the enlarged military structure is expected to provide greater operational flexibility in tackling insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence across the country.

Speaking on the recent rescue of abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Tinubu credited the successful operation to the professionalism of the armed forces and the government’s refusal to negotiate with kidnappers.

He said the abductors had demanded not only ransom but also the release of members of their criminal gang already in detention.

“We refused to negotiate. These criminals wanted us to review the release from detention, members of their criminal gangs that were already arrested. That was one of their conditions, aside from the money they’re looking for. And I said, ‘no deal,’ we are not going to negotiate with criminals. They committed murder,” the President declared.

Tinubu commended the armed forces for successfully rescuing the victims and promised to convey the appreciation of the traditional rulers to military personnel involved in the operation.

The President also linked Nigeria’s security problems to instability in neighbouring countries, particularly Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic.

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According to him, the worsening security situation across the Sahel has increased cross-border criminal activities, making Nigeria’s security challenges more complex.

“Some of them are non-Nigerians. You know, you see the problem of insecurity in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic is adding more fuel to our challenges,” he said.

He therefore urged Nigerians to remain vigilant by reporting suspicious movements and activities to security agencies, stressing that community intelligence remains indispensable in combating crime.

Addressing economic and infrastructure issues, the President said Nigeria’s fiscal position has improved significantly, noting that state governments now receive higher monthly allocations.

He challenged governors to channel the increased revenues into projects that directly impact citizens, particularly road infrastructure capable of enhancing economic activities and supporting security operations.

Earlier, Ladoja commended the Federal Government for the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire and expressed support for the administration’s infrastructure and security initiatives.

He described the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda as a catalyst for national development and urged the administration to sustain its efforts.

The monarch also renewed calls for true federalism, arguing that greater decentralisation would accelerate development across Nigeria’s regions.

He further advocated constitutional recognition for traditional rulers, saying their formal inclusion in governance would strengthen grassroots administration and improve community security.

“We believe in your Renewed Hope Agenda. It is clear you are renewing our hope in infrastructure and fixing our abandoned roads,” Ladoja said.

“We traditional rulers must ensure this administration completes its tenure. We know it’s a difficult job, and we are ready at any point in time to give you our own opinion, our own advice and also our own prayers.”