Bill to Introduce State Police Scales, Second Reading

A Change to the Constitution the House of Representatives has conducted a second reading of the bill that would establish the state police.

Thirteen House members supported the measure, and the green chamber’s majority backed it because they thought national security considerations should take precedence over worries about political victimisation by state governors.

As a means of addressing the grave security concerns, such as the pervasive kidnappings and banditry, President Bola Tinubu and thirty-six state governors discussed the establishment of state police last week.

Because of their contentious history dating back to the Seventh National Assembly, state police were unable to survive the amending process.

Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who were elected as governors of Nigeria recently reiterated their belief that state policing is the best way to address the country’s deteriorating security situation, expressing their concern that Nigeria is becoming closer and closer to Venezuela.

There are a lot of growing security concerns in the country, and regional socio-political groups like Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Middle Belt Forum, and the Northern Elders’ Forum have all advocated for state police on multiple occasions.

The south-west geopolitical zone’s governments have already established Amotekun, while the south-east’s have likewise established Ebube Agu, a state-owned security company. North Central states like Katsina and Zamfara have also formed state-established units akin to the Benue Guards, and other bandit-prone sub-nationals like Zamfara and Benue have done the same.

Despite states’ demands that individuals like Amotekun and Ebube Agu be granted licences to carry assault rifles like the AK-47 in order to confront dangerous gun-toting marauders, these outfits have not been as effective as expected due to a lack of support from the federal government and the presidency.