The House of Representatives on Tuesday took a significant step towards the establishment of state police by passing a bill for the second reading in the ongoing constitutional amendment process.
The bill aims to amend the 1999 constitution and allow the 36 states in the federation to establish their own police forces.
Sponsored by Ben Kalu and 14 others, the bill consists of 18 clauses intending to amend 14 sections of the constitution.
The proposed amendments notably seek to transfer police powers from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list, enabling both state and federal governments to establish and manage police forces.
During the debate, Muktar Shagaya, presenting the bill on behalf of the co-sponsors, emphasised that the creation of state police is not just a matter of federalism but a necessary response to the evolving security challenges in the country.
“This bill emerges as a necessary response to several calls for a decentralised and community-oriented approach to law enforcement. It seeks to navigate the complex landscape of security challenges by empowering our states with the means to address issues unique to their localities.
“This proposed alteration represents not just a legal adjustment to our grundnorm, but a visionary leap towards a safer, more secure, and harmonious Nigeria,” he said.
Chief Whip Bello Kumo expressed concerns about the historical underfunding of the police by the federal government, leading to inadequate recruitment and training.
However, he also acknowledged the potential for abuse by governors if given control over state police.
While the bill received support from many members, Sada Soli and Obinna Aguocha raised concerns about the possibility of abuse by governors and potential disruptions to free trade.
The motion passed a voice vote and has been referred to the Committee on Constitution Review for further consideration.
If successful, the amendment could pave the way for the establishment of state police forces in Nigeria.
Alleluia is the Assistant Editor and Content Writer at LagosPost.ng. She is a prolific writer and editor, she has written features and news stories on Lifestyle, Sports, Business, Politics and B2B marketing. She is also an event coordinator, host and social media content creator.
