By Morakinyo Basirat (SIWES student, FUOYE)
As the bill advocating for the establishment of State Police and Related Matters progresses through the Federal House of Representatives, Deputy Speaker Honourable Benjamin Kalu elucidates on how its enactment could stem the tide of insecurity sweeping across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Sponsored by the Deputy Speaker himself, the bill cleared its second reading in the Green Chamber, marking a significant step towards empowering states to address localized security challenges promptly.
In a statement shared via his verified X handle on Tuesday night, Kalu emphasized the timeliness and imperative nature of establishing state police in response to mounting security threats nationwide.
He underscored that the proposed legislation aims to transfer policing authority from the Exclusive to the Concurrent Legislative List, granting states greater autonomy in law enforcement.
Kalu outlined key provisions of the bill, highlighting its commitment to fostering coordination, accountability, and uniform standards between Federal and State Police entities.
Notably, the legislation includes safeguards to forestall unwarranted federal interference in state policing affairs.
Furthermore, the bill proposes the establishment of distinct State Police Service Commissions, delineating their roles and jurisdictions, thus enhancing efficiency and clarity in the administration of state-level law enforcement.
In essence, Deputy Speaker Kalu’s initiative seeks to bolster Nigeria’s security apparatus by decentralizing policing functions and fostering a more responsive and tailored approach to addressing the diverse security challenges facing the nation.
