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The Senate has moved to fast-track the creation of State Police as part of efforts to tackle the worsening insecurity across Nigeria.
Ahead of Tuesday’s plenary, the upper chamber disclosed that it would prioritise constitutional amendments aimed at establishing state police, with plans to immediately transmit the proposal to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for approval.
Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, said the National Assembly had resolved to isolate the state police proposal from other constitutional amendment bills because of its urgency and national importance.
According to him, there is now broad consensus across the country on the need for state police, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, state governors and key stakeholders backing the initiative.
Speaking through a statement issued by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs on Monday, Bamidele said the Senate would make the issue a top priority during the legislative week.
“Our position is very clear on state police. We are standing with Nigerians on the issue of state police. All strata of the federation have made it clear that there cannot be a better time to establish a state police than now,” he said.
The Senate Leader noted that the National Assembly was determined to turn the widespread demand for state police into reality.
“We have come to the conclusion that we are going to pass the constitutional amendment in this respect to make provision for state police. If I can tell you as of today, that will come to fruition this very week because there is no need to allow any further delay,” he stated.
Bamidele revealed that intensive consultations had been ongoing between the leadership of the National Assembly, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Chief of Staff to the President, security agencies and other stakeholders.
According to him, the proposal would be quickly sent to the state legislatures after passage by the National Assembly since it requires approval by at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly before presidential assent.
“The president is also with us on this proposal. I am sure he cannot wait for the bill to come to him for assent. The majority of governors are also in support, and the state assemblies are waiting for the bill,” he added.
The move comes amid growing calls for decentralised policing as communities across the country continue to grapple with banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other violent crimes.
Meanwhile, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, recently disclosed that President Tinubu would soon receive a comprehensive report on the proposed state police framework as consultations near completion.
If passed, the amendment will alter Section 214(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which currently provides for a single Nigeria Police Force for the federation.
