persecution
Nigeria Advances State Police Reform Amid Longstanding Security Failures
By commsmanager at International Christian Concern
· June 12, 2026
· 5 min read
Nigeria’s parliament has taken a major step toward one of the country’s most consequential security reforms in decades, approving legislation that would allow each of the country’s 36 states to establish and operate their own police forces alongside the existing federal Nigeria Police Force. The mea
Key takeaway The measure, which enjoys broad political support and has the backing of President Bola Tinubu, still requires approval by at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s state assemblies before it can take effect.
Why this matters
The proposed reform of Nigeria's policing system has significant implications for the country's ability to respond to terrorism and communal violence, particularly in regions with high levels of persecution against Christian communities. For years, the centralized system has been criticized for its slow response times and lack of familiarity with local communities, leading to devastating consequences. The failure to protect vulnerable communities has been well-documented, including the 2022 attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo. If implemented, the new legislation could allow state governments to establish police forces that are more attuned to local needs and better equipped to respond to emerging threats. This could be a crucial step in addressing the security failures that have plagued Nigeria for decades and have had a disproportionate impact on Christian communities. The outcome of the state assemblies' approval process will be closely watched, as it has the potential to reshape the country's approach to security and potentially reduce the incidence of violent attacks against Christian communities.
About this story
Original reporting by International Christian Concern . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: persecution ·
Published: June 12, 2026 ·
Source: International Christian Concern ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Nigeria’s parliament has taken a major step toward one of the country’s most consequential security reforms in decades, approving legislation that would allow each of the country’s 36 states to establish and operate their own police forces alongside the existing federal Nigeria Police Force. The mea
When was this published? This article was first published on June 12, 2026 by International Christian Concern and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by commsmanager at International Christian Concern. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more persecution coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .