By Gloria Drealomalicha
The House of Representatives has passed a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police across Nigeria, marking a significant step in the country’s ongoing efforts to reform its security architecture.
The bill was approved during plenary on Thursday after lawmakers voted in favour of the proposal, which has long been the subject of national debate.
Supporters of state policing argue that decentralising law enforcement would enable quicker responses to security threats, particularly in communities grappling with banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities. They believe state-controlled police forces would be better positioned to understand local security challenges and provide tailored solutions.
The passage of the bill by the House represents a major milestone in the constitutional amendment process. However, the proposal must still complete other legislative and constitutional requirements before it can become law.
The issue of state police has remained one of the most discussed security reforms in Nigeria, with advocates insisting that the current centralised policing system is overstretched and struggling to effectively address the country’s diverse security concerns.
Leave a Reply