Officials across the five states argued that their security outfits already have the personnel, community knowledge, and operational frameworks needed for a smooth handover.

They said building entirely new institutions would take longer and cost more, while the existing agencies had already established intelligence networks and local trust.

In Ondo State, the Special Adviser to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Strategic Communication, Allen Sowore, said the Amotekun Corps was well placed to make the transition

“The men and officers of the Amotekun Corps would also be well positioned for recruitment into the state police system. Their years of experience, knowledge of the local terrain, community relationships, and understanding of the security challenges confronting our people are invaluable assets that should not be discarded.”

The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, added that Amotekun’s current structure offered a ready implementation template. Kaduna’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shu’aibu, told a training programme for personnel of the Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KADVIS) on Wednesday that the state was already upgrading the outfit to serve as the starting point for state police.

“When the Constitution is eventually reviewed, and state police become operational, where do we start from? You can rest assured it will start from here.”

A senior government official who spoke anonymously confirmed that the focus was on strengthening KADVIS rather than creating a new agency.

In Zamfara, Special Assistant to Governor Dauda Lawal on Media and Publicity, Mustafa Kaura, said the Civilian Protection Guards would be converted, given the experience its personnel had gained fighting insecurity in the state.

The Senior Special Adviser to Anambra Governor on Media, Dr Ejimofor Opara, said the state’s Agunechemba security outfit would be “rejigged to fulfil the mandate of the state police.”

Opara noted that the existing Anambra State Homeland Security Law already shared many features with the incoming legislation. Abia’s Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, said the state intended to merge its Homeland Security outfit and community vigilante groups into the new state police structure, with modalities to be worked out ahead of the take-off.

He then directed a pointed question at critics of such engagement in the North: “Who is going to visit BH and bandits to tame them without fools castigating them?”

The retired soldier has spent years positioning himself as a mediator between the Nigerian state and armed groups operating in the North-West and North-East, making repeated visits to bandit camps in Zamfara and other states to hear their demands. His core argument has remained consistent — that negotiation ended Niger Delta militancy and should be tried in the North.

His interventions have not been without controversy. Some Nigerians accuse him of legitimising groups responsible for kidnappings, killings and cattle rustling, while others credit his work with securing the freedom of kidnap victims. Gumi has denied backing terrorism, saying his goal is to end bloodshed through dialogue and rehabilitation.

The amnesty programme that Gumi referenced was launched in 2009 under the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and continued under Jonathan. Thousands of militants were disarmed in exchange for training, monthly stipends and reintegration support, which significantly reduced attacks on oil infrastructure in

Jonathan’s first direct engagement with Niger Delta militants came in 2007, when he was serving as vice-president.

He entered the creeks in Warri, Delta State, without armed protection to meet ex-militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, known as Tompolo. Jonathan later said that the meeting laid the groundwork for the amnesty programme, which remains operational today.

Osinbajo undertook a similar mission in 2017, visiting Niger Delta communities as acting president and meeting directly with militants and traditional leaders.

He justified the visits by describing those in the creeks as citizens with genuine grievances rather than purely security threats.

The commission also stated that all registration centres would remain open daily, including weekends, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. until the exercise ends.

“You can complete your voter registration online from start to finish via cvr.inecnigeria.org. If you need assistance, visit any INEC State Office, LGA Office, or designated registration centre to complete your registration in person,” the commission added.

The CVR exercise is part of INEC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, enabling eligible Nigerians and those seeking to update their voter information to be included in the national register of voters.