The Plateau State House of Assembly has expressed strong support for the establishment of state police, assuring stakeholders that any bill seeking to create the security structure will receive prompt legislative attention once it reaches the Assembly.
Speaker of the House, Naanlong Daniel, gave the assurance on Thursday in Jos while receiving members of the Plateau State Advisory Committee on State Police, led by retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG Habila Joshak, during an advocacy visit.
Daniel said the Assembly views state policing as a critical component of efforts to tackle the persistent security challenges confronting Plateau State and several other parts of the country.
“The Assembly believes state policing will contribute significantly to ending the prolonged insecurity affecting parts of Plateau State and other regions of the country,” Daniel said.
The Speaker noted that lawmakers in the state have consistently supported calls for decentralised policing, arguing that the initiative could strengthen local security responses and improve public safety.
“Lawmakers have consistently advocated for its establishment. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for demonstrating commitment toward addressing insecurity and supporting reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture,” the Speaker stated.
He further pledged the Assembly’s readiness to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the success of the proposed reform.
Daniel assured the committee of “the legislature’s full cooperation and readiness to provide the necessary legislative support to ensure the success of the initiative.”
Emphasising the need for collective action in addressing insecurity, the Speaker said sustainable peace could only be achieved through cooperation among government institutions, security agencies and citizens.
He further stressed that “security remains a collective responsibility and that all stakeholders must work together to achieve lasting peace across the state.”
Earlier, Joshak explained that the committee’s engagement with the legislature formed part of broader consultations aimed at building support for state policing across Plateau State.
According to him, the state’s long-standing security concerns make the proposed policing model both timely and necessary.
He said Plateau’s “complex security challenges over the years” make state police “a vital step toward strengthening security management, improving intelligence gathering, and restoring public confidence in law enforcement.”
Joshak also disclosed that the committee has been tasked with developing a framework that could serve as a model for other states considering similar reforms.
The retired police chief stated that the committee “is expected to serve as a reference point for other States across the federation as discussions on state policing continue nationwide.”
Highlighting the importance of legislative involvement, he said the success of the initiative would depend significantly on the role of lawmakers.
He noted, “The role of the State Assembly in achieving the objective cannot be overstated, stressing that lawmakers will be instrumental in providing the legal backing and careful legislative planning required for the successful implementation of the initiative.”
Joshak urged members of the Assembly to embrace the proposal, maintaining that state police would be better positioned to address local security concerns while complementing existing national policing structures.
Also speaking, committee member Chris Kwajah appealed to legislators to give accelerated consideration to the bill when it is eventually introduced.
He described the proposed legislation as an important opportunity to confront recurring security threats and address perceived shortcomings in the current policing arrangement.
Kwajah argued that a state-controlled police structure would improve intelligence gathering at the grassroots level, enhance response to emergencies and encourage greater community involvement in security management.
The committee further sought to allay concerns over potential discrimination or abuse of the proposed system, insisting that the framework would operate on principles of fairness and inclusiveness.
According to the committee, “The proposed state police structure would be inclusive and would serve all citizens equally, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation,” with “fairness, professionalism, and accountability” as central principles.
The Plateau State Advisory Committee on State Police was established by Governor Caleb Mutfwang in March to drive consultations, develop implementation strategies and advise the government on the operational framework for state policing.
The committee’s visit to the Assembly is part of ongoing stakeholder engagements ahead of the formal presentation and legislative consideration of a state police bill in Plateau State.
(Ripples)
