Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Lagos State, has commended the State House of Assembly for supporting the proposed establishment of a state police, describing the initiative as a potential boost to community security and intelligence gathering.
Mr James Adeshina, IPAC Publicity Secretary in Lagos State, gave the commendation on Thursday, in Lagos.
He said that there was a need for adequate constitutional safeguards to prevent the proposed security institution from being used to intimidate opposition parties or suppress democratic activities.
Adeshina said that state policing could improve local intelligence gathering, strengthen community safety and enhance responses to security challenges if properly structured and managed.
“We acknowledge the reported support of the Lagos State House of Assembly for the proposed establishment of state police.
“From my perspective, state policing could improve local intelligence gathering, community safety and responsiveness to security challenges,” he said.
He warned that the initiative must not become an instrument for political persecution, intimidation of opposition leaders or the suppression of lawful political activities.
“Our concern is not simply whether state police should be established, but how the institution will be governed, supervised and held accountable,” he said.
Adeshina urged the Assembly to ensure that any framework for state policing guaranteed political neutrality, independent civilian oversight and effective mechanisms for addressing complaints against officers.
He said state police personnel must not be deployed to disrupt lawful rallies, interfere with campaign activities or intimidate political opponents.
He added that security agencies must operate in the interest of all residents, irrespective of their political affiliations.
The IPAC spokesman also called for clear constitutional provisions defining the respective responsibilities of federal and state police to prevent jurisdictional conflicts, abuse of power and unnecessary interference in law enforcement operations.
He said that effective oversight mechanisms, transparent complaint procedures and appropriate sanctions for misconduct would be essential to ensuring public confidence in the proposed institution.
“Every citizen, regardless of political affiliation, must enjoy the protection of the law. Security must serve the people, not the interests of any political party or individual,” Adeshina said.
He also urged the State House of Assembly to prioritise enforceable safeguards against political interference in any legislative or constitutional framework supporting state policing.
Adeshina said that the reported support for the proposed constitutional amendment did not mean that state police had already become operational in Lagos State.
He added that the distinction was important to ensure that residents understood the current status of the proposal and the legislative and constitutional processes required before its implementation.
The publicity secretary said that the success of state policing would depend not only on its ability to tackle security challenges but also on its adherence to democratic principles, respect for fundamental rights and accountability to the people.
He added that a properly regulated state police system could strengthen public trust in law enforcement if its operations were guided by the rule of law and insulated from partisan interests.
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