A coalition of senators from Nigeria’s northern region has renewed calls for the immediate establishment of state police forces, following deadly terror attacks in Adamawa and Sokoto states that claimed dozens of lives.

The lawmakers argued that the current centralized security architecture has proven inadequate to address the growing wave of violence across the region, including banditry, kidnapping, and terrorist activities. They insisted that state-level policing would allow for faster response times and more culturally informed community engagement.

The Attacks

In Adamawa State, suspected terrorists attacked several farming communities, killing multiple residents and displacing hundreds. The assailants reportedly targeted villagers working in their fields, stealing livestock and burning homes. Local authorities confirmed the death toll was significant, with many injured and several others reported missing.

In Sokoto State, gunmen carried out coordinated raids on multiple villages, resulting in the deaths of at least 35 people, including students. The attackers, believed to be affiliated with armed groups operating in the region, also abducted an unknown number of residents and looted homes and shops.

Renewed Calls for State Police

Senators representing the northern districts issued a joint statement condemning the attacks and urging President Bola Tinubu to prioritize the creation of state police forces. They argued that the existing federal police force is overstretched and unable to respond swiftly to security emergencies across the country’s vast territory.

“We cannot continue to lose our citizens to these preventable attacks,” the statement read. “The federal police alone cannot protect everyone. We need state police now to complement their efforts and ensure that communities can defend themselves.”

Governor’s Support

Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal also threw his weight behind the call for state police, saying the attacks in Adamawa and Sokoto underscore the urgent need for decentralized security. He noted that governors are best positioned to understand the specific security challenges in their states and should be empowered to act accordingly.