House Passes Bill For State Police In Second Reading
Abuja, Nigeria – The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill that seeks to provide for the establishment of state police in the country.
The bill, sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Benjamin Kalu and 14 other lawmakers, aims to amend the relevant Sections of the 1999 Constitution to empower states to create their own policing outfits.
The bill was debated on the floor of the House during Tuesday’s plenary, with lawmakers expressing divergent views on the issue.
Kalu, who presided over the session in the absence of the Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, urged his colleagues to look beyond political ambitions and think about the safety of Nigerians and Nigeria.
He said the bill was in line with the principle of federalism and the need to address the security challenges facing the country.
He also said the bill would ensure accountability and professionalism in the police force, as well as respect for human rights and the rule of law.
Also speaking in support of the bill, Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos) said the creation of state police was necessary to maintain law and order in the country.
He said Nigeria had a population of over 200 million people, but a police strength of less than 400,000, which was grossly inadequate.
He said state police would help to address the internal security challenges of Nigeria, such as insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and communal clashes.
However, some lawmakers opposed the bill, citing the potential for abuse and politicization of the state police by state governors.
They argued that the bill would undermine the unity and sovereignty of the country, and create more problems than solutions.
They also expressed doubts about the capacity and readiness of the states to fund and manage their own police forces.
The bill was eventually passed for second reading after a voice vote, and referred to the House Committee on Constitution Amendment for further legislative action.
