Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has raised concerns about the operational limitations facing existing regional security outfits amid ongoing discussions on the establishment of state police.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on June 25, 2026, Falana argued that many local security agencies remain at a disadvantage because they are not legally permitted to carry the same calibre of weapons used by heavily armed criminal groups.
“The major problem is that they are not empowered to bear AK-47 rifles like the criminals who are chasing people all over the place,” he said.
Falana explained that vigilante groups, neighbourhood watch organisations and regional security corps are restricted by existing firearm regulations, limiting their ability to effectively confront bandits and other armed criminals.
He maintained that simply redesignating existing security outfits as state police would not resolve the problem unless federal firearm licensing laws and other operational restrictions are reviewed. Falana called for broader security reforms to ensure any future state police system is adequately equipped, properly empowered and capable of responding effectively to evolving security threats.
