The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has submitted a 75-page framework on the establishment of State Police to the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, in a fresh move to advance decentralised policing in Nigeria.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by Ismail Mudashir, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Deputy Senate President, the document titled “A Comprehensive Framework for the Establishment, Governance and Coordination of Federal and State Police” was presented at Jibrin’s office within the National Assembly complex.

The report was delivered on behalf of the IGP by Prof Olu Ogunsakin, who chairs the Nigeria Police Force committee set up to develop modalities for instituting State Police.

Disu said the document encapsulates the Force’s professional input following extensive consultations and a thorough evaluation of the legal, operational and administrative implications of decentralised policing.

“The report covers the considered views, professional insights and strategic recommendations of the Force, derived from extensive consultations and a careful assessment of the operational, legal and administrative implications of instituting State Police in Nigeria,” Disu said.

“It is our expectation that the contents of this report will meaningfully contribute to ongoing deliberations and assist in shaping informed, balanced, and pragmatic decisions on this critical aspect of national security architecture.”

The police chief noted that the framework has been formally submitted to the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution as the Nigeria Police Force’s official contribution to the ongoing constitutional amendment process.

Responding, Senator Jibrin commended the IGP for what he described as a proactive step aligned with the security agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“The Deputy President of the Senate commended the IGP for his proactiveness on the establishment of State Police in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda to fully secure the country,” the statement read.

He assured that the Senate Committee reviewing the Constitution would carefully examine the framework alongside other submissions as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s legal foundation.

The proposed framework is expected to outline the operational structure, governance model, and coordination mechanisms between federal and state policing systems— marking a significant step in ongoing efforts to overhaul Nigeria’s security architecture.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that Disu inaugurated an eight-member committee in March to drive the implementation of State Police, declaring that the reform was irreversible.

At the inauguration in Abuja, the IGP insisted that decentralised policing “has come to stay,” dismissing concerns that it could threaten the roles of existing police personnel.

“State Police has come to stay, and the police should be able to contribute their part in making it succeed. The police are not afraid, our jobs are not being taken,” he said.

He described the committee’s assignment as urgent and critical, giving members one month to submit their report amid rising security challenges across the country.

Disu stressed that the move towards State Police is aimed at strengthening internal security by bringing law enforcement closer to communities and enabling faster, more targeted responses to threats.

“Across the nation, we continue to confront evolving security challenges. These require innovative thinking, strategic collaboration, and the willingness to explore reforms,” he added.

The push for State Police has gained renewed momentum following President Tinubu’s assurance that the plan would not be shelved, urging stakeholders to support the initiative.

Aformer Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, has been discharged by a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja after the Nigerian government confirmed the recovery of funds linked to the fraud allegations against her, bringing an abrupt end to her prosecution.

Justice Hamza Muazu struck out the case on Thursday after the prosecution informed the court that the value of the disputed funds had been returned.

Oduah, who was standing trial alongside her former aide, Gloria Odita, had faced allegations tied to multi-billion naira transactions involving companies connected to the aviation ministry.

In his ruling, Justice Muazu declared, “The charge dated October 13, 2025, is hereby struck out, and the defendants are accordingly discharged.”

Earlier, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), told the court he was acting on the directive of the Attorney-General of the Federation to confirm that the government had received restitution.

“I have the instruction of the Attorney-General of the Federation to inform your Lordship that the state confirms receipt of the value of the subject matter of this charge,” Oyedepo said.

Following the announcement, the prosecution amended the charge to retain only two companies, Sobora International Limited and Global Offshore Marine Limited, effectively removing Oduah and Odita as defendants.

The development comes amid earlier revelations by SaharaReporters that the resolution of the case may have been influenced by political considerations.

On March 8, 2026, SaharaReporters reported that the Tinubu Presidency allegedly “rewarded” Oduah’s defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with a N1.54billion settlement arrangement in a broader N5billion fraud case, according to sources.

Oduah had entered into discussions with the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) over allegations involving the misappropriation of approximately N5billion in public funds.

She and Odita were initially arraigned on December 10, 2025, on a five-count charge filed by the AGF’s office over transactions that allegedly took place between January and February 2014 during her tenure as aviation minister under former President, Goodluck Jonathan.

The prosecution alleged that both defendants conspired to obtain about N2.46billion from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through companies, including Broad Waters Resource Nigeria Limited and Global Offshore Marine Limited, under the guise of providing technical supervision and security logistics services.

Specifically, prosecutors claimed that N839.7million was obtained through Broad Waters Resource Nigeria Limited, while N1.62billion was channelled through Global Offshore Marine Limited.

The funds were said to have been authorised under Oduah’s supervision, constituting offences punishable under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act 2006 and the Penal Code.

Sources had told SaharaReporters that the AGF, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), proposed that Oduah pay N1.54 billion to resolve the matter—an arrangement described by insiders as politically motivated rather than a conventional plea bargain.

It was further alleged that the case was withdrawn from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to facilitate the process.

“In order to facilitate the fraudulent process, the AGF office took away the case from the EFCC,” a source privy to the matter said.

“The Tinubu Presidency decided to reward Stella Oduah for joining the APC. Contrary to reports in the media, the process is not a plea bargain, but a newly ready-made legal process designed to free politically connected individuals who are favoured by the President.”

Oduah had reportedly filed an application under Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 to initiate plea discussions, prompting Justice Muazu to adjourn the matter to March 26, 2026, for a report on negotiations.

During earlier proceedings, Oyedepo had disclosed that the defendants were making efforts to refund the alleged proceeds.

“They have made moves to refund a certain amount of money into the government coffers,” Oyedepo told journalists. “What is left is the confirmation of receipt of the bank draft by the government.”

Her counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), and Odita’s lawyer had both confirmed that negotiations were ongoing at the time.

In June 2025, sources told SaharaReporters that the AGF had stalled the N5 billion case initially filed by the EFCC, allegedly due to Oduah’s political alignment with the ruling APC.

Oduah had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in August 2021 while representing Anambra North in the Senate.

Her tenure as aviation minister also drew criticism in 2013 after revelations that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) purchased two armoured BMW 760 Li vehicles for her at a cost exceeding N255million, despite funding constraints within the agency.

Officials had at the time raised concerns that critical aviation infrastructure and staff development were being neglected while funds were diverted for luxury acquisitions.

During the Thursday proceedings, Counsel to Oduah, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), and Odita’s lawyer, Wale Balogun (SAN), urged the court to formally drop the charges against their clients, while the prosecution maintained they could still appear as representatives of the companies.

Justice Muazu clarified that no conviction would be recorded against the two women, noting that their roles were limited to representing the firms.

After a brief stand-down to resolve disagreements, both parties agreed that only the companies would remain as defendants.

The Nigerian government subsequently arraigned the firms on amended fraud charges.

According to the charge, Sobora International Limited allegedly held N838 million in 2015, funds suspected to have been illegally obtained from the Ministry of Aviation through ISEC Security Maintenance Limited.

Global Offshore Marine Limited was also accused of receiving N1.629 billion from the same source.

Oduah, appearing as a representative of the companies, pleaded guilty to the amended charges.

The court thereafter convicted the companies and ordered the restitution of N1.2 billion to the Nigerian Government, alongside the forfeiture of N780 million earlier recovered during investigations.

Residents of Idofin Odo Ashe community in Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State have staged a protest over relentless attacks, killings and kidnappings by terrorists who have reportedly invaded the community, forcing many residents to abandon their homes.

The protest, which involved elderly women, youths and other residents of the community, was held amid growing fear and frustration as locals say insecurity has worsened over the past eight months with little or no intervention from authorities.

During the protest, residents marched through parts of the community carrying placards with various inscriptions highlighting their plight and calling on the government to urgently intervene before the town becomes completely deserted.

Some of the placards read: “End Insecurity in Idofin Odo Ashe, We Sleep In Fear Everyday,” “Idofin Odo Ashe Needs Security, Do Not Abandon Rural Communities,” “We Need Peace, Government of Kwara State Come To Our Aid, Idofin Odo Ashe Is Bleeding,” and “Innocent Souls Are Brutally Murdered In Idofin Odo Ashe, Come To Our Aid.”

Residents said the protest was their desperate attempt to draw the attention of the Kwara State Government and security agencies to the worsening security crisis in the community.

According to eyewitnesses, elderly women and young people in large numbers trooped out to express their anger and fear, lamenting that bandits and kidnappers now operate freely in the area.

One elderly woman who spoke during the protest appealed directly to the state government for urgent intervention, saying the community was gradually becoming deserted due to persistent attacks.

“Kwara State Government, please help us. Our community is becoming deserted,” she cried. “People are leaving Idofin Odo Ashe because bandits killed a young man. We are living in fear every day.”

She said many families had already fled the town while others were preparing to leave if the situation continued.

Another protester who spoke to SaharaReporters on Thursday said kidnappers had been operating almost daily in the community for about eight months, attacking residents without resistance.

The protester said, “We citizens are calling on the Government of Kwara State and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to help stop the terrorists and the daily killings and kidnappings of our people.”

He added that the situation had reached a dangerous level as criminals were now operating freely.

“Kidnappers strike Idofin Odo Ashe almost every day. For about eight months now, they have been killing and kidnapping people freely,” the protester said.

“The citizens are running away from the town. The situation is very pathetic.”

Residents warned that if urgent action is not taken by the government and security agencies, Idofin Odo Ashe and neighbouring communities could soon become completely deserted as people continue to flee for safety.

They called on the Kwara State Government and federal security authorities to immediately deploy adequate security personnel to the community and surrounding areas to halt the activities of terrorists and kidnappers threatening their lives and livelihoods.