House of Reps Pass State Police Bill for 2nd Reading

The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed for second reading a Bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to allow for the establishment of state police.

The Bill, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and 14 other members, was passed and referred to the House Committee on Constitution Review.

But there were concerns among some members that some governors may weaponise state police to coerce and victimise their opponents.

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Leading a debate on the Bill, Tolani Shagaya (APC, Kwara) said it would bring back the essence of true federalism and put the states in a vantage position to address matters bordering on insecurity.

The lawmaker noted that state police would be better placed and prepared to tackle insecurity in various communities and fight crimes accordingly.

He said state police currently exists in many parts of the country in different forms such as Amotekun and Neighbourhood Watch.

According to him, the Bill seeks to give legal backing and allow such community security outfits to operate legally.

Shagaya said the nation’s collective security has been greatly challenged, adding that state policing is not only inevitable but urgently necessary to tackle the mounting insecurity in the land.