Politics
THE Senate on Wednesday passed a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police across the country, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to address growing security challenges through decentralised policing.
The bill was approved following a clause-by-clause consideration and a manual voting process during plenary, with more than two-thirds of senators supporting the proposal.
Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, announced the passage of the legislation after the presentation of a report by the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution, chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.
The proposed amendment seeks to create a state policing framework that will operate alongside the existing federal police system, effectively ending the exclusive control of the Federal Government over policing matters.
Under the bill, each state police service will be headed by a Commissioner of Police appointed by the governor and confirmed by the State House of Assembly.
The federal police structure will remain intact under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police.
The legislation also empowers governors to issue lawful written directives on public safety, security and public order within their respective states.
To guard against possible abuse of the new policing powers, the bill contains provisions prohibiting state police authorities from arresting, detaining, investigating or targeting any individual, political party or group solely on the basis of criticism of government policies or actions, except as permitted by law.
The passage of the bill represents one of the most far-reaching constitutional reforms undertaken by the 10th National Assembly and follows years of debate over the need for state-controlled policing in Nigeria.
Advocates of state police have argued that the country’s centralised policing structure has become overstretched and inadequate in responding to diverse security threats, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal conflicts and other crimes across the federation.
Supporters also contend that state police would improve intelligence gathering, community engagement and rapid response to local security challenges.
However, critics have expressed concerns that state police could be abused by political office holders to intimidate opponents and suppress dissent.
Successive administrations had previously hesitated to embrace the idea because of fears relating to political interference and the financial capacity of some states to sustain independent police formations.
The push for state police gained momentum in recent years following repeated calls by governors, security experts, traditional rulers and civil society organisations for a more decentralised security architecture.
Although the Senate has passed the bill, it is yet to become law.
In line with constitutional requirements for amendment of the Constitution, the proposal must secure approval by at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly before it can be transmitted for presidential assent.
If eventually enacted, the reform is expected to fundamentally reshape Nigeria’s policing system and security governance framework.
F.O
Tags: bill senate State Police