From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
The deputy president of the Senate, Barau I. Jibrin, has described President Bola Tinubu’s bid to establish state police as a masterstroke that will strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and tackle rising insecurity across the country.
Speaking on Radio Nigeria Kaduna’s Hannu Da Yawa, a live Hausa programme on Saturday, Barau said the proposed reform was the product of extensive consultations and legislative scrutiny involving public hearings across the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Deputy Senate President, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, said the executive bill was developed through collaboration between the Presidency, the National Assembly, the Inspector-General of Police, retired police officers, security experts, governors, civil society organisations and members of the public.
According to him, the proposal responds to longstanding calls for constitutional amendments to allow states establish their own police services, while incorporating safeguards to prevent political or ethnic abuse. He said President Tinubu recognised concerns over the possible misuse of state police and ensured that legal and institutional checks were built into the framework.
Barau explained that state police would complement, rather than replace, the Nigeria Police Force by recruiting officers from local communities who understand the terrain and security challenges in their areas. He said the arrangement ?would improve the fight against banditry, kidnapping and other crimes, particularly in northern Nigeria.
He further disclosed that under the proposed framework, the President would retain constitutional powers to direct the Federal Police to take over where a state police service is used to intimidate citizens or threatens lives and property.
The Deputy Senate President added that while the Federal Police would continue to handle national security issues such as terrorism and cybercrime, state police would focus on internal law enforcement and the maintenance of public order.
Speaking further, he said Nigerians that state police commandants would be appointed through a rigorous process and protected from undue political interference.
Barau acknowledged concerns over funding and operational capacity, saying the necessary financial arrangements and operational standards would be developed as the constitutional amendment process and enabling legislation progress.
He expressed confidence that state Houses of Assembly would support the initiative and urged Nigerians to embrace the reform as a balanced approach to improving security and protecting lives and property.
(The Sun)