The House of Representatives moved forward on Tuesday by passing a bill for the establishment of state police in Nigeria, marking its second reading. Sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and supported by 14 others, the bill aims to amend relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution to empower states to establish their own police forces.
During the debate on the House floor, lawmakers shared their perspectives on the necessity of state police. Benjamin Kalu, standing in for Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, urged members to prioritize the safety of Nigerians over political interests.
Babajimi Benson, representing Lagos under the APC, underscored the pressing need for a more robust policing system. He highlighted the stark contrast between Nigeria’s population, exceeding 200 million, and its police force, which numbers less than 400,000. Benson argued that the creation of state police would better address the internal security challenges confronting the nation.
The discussions reflect a growing consensus among legislators regarding the importance of decentralizing policing authority to states as a means of strengthening security and law enforcement efforts throughout Nigeria.
….Details later