United States Congressman Riley Moore has hailed the passage of Nigeria’s state police bill by the National Assembly, describing the proposed reform as a crucial step towards tackling insecurity and protecting Christian communities across the country.
Moore, who has repeatedly advocated the establishment of state police in Nigeria, reacted on Wednesday after the Senate passed the constitutional amendment bill, completing its passage by the National Assembly.
In a statement posted on X, the Republican lawmaker representing West Virginia said the reform would empower states to protect their citizens and reduce reliance on decision-makers in Abuja.
“I’m encouraged to see Nigeria’s Senate approve legislation to establish state-level police forces — a reform I’ve called for publicly and privately since I first started investigating the genocide against Christians in Nigeria,” Moore wrote.
He added that the measure would strengthen efforts to address insecurity and defend persecuted Christians, while commending President Bola Tinubu for supporting the legislation.
“President Tinubu deserves credit for pushing it forward, but now we need two-thirds of the states to ratify before it will take effect,” he said.
Moore had also welcomed the House of Representatives’ approval of the bill earlier this month, saying he had consistently raised the issue with Nigerian officials and delegations, including during discussions with First Lady Oluremi Tinubu in Washington.
The congressman has frequently linked decentralised policing to improved security, particularly in areas affected by violent attacks and communal conflicts.
The state police bill seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to allow states to establish and operate their own police services alongside the Nigeria Police Force.
The proposal now requires ratification by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly before it can be transmitted to the President for assent.
The push for state police has gained momentum amid growing concerns over banditry, kidnapping, farmer-herder clashes and other security challenges.
While supporters argue that the reform will improve local policing and intelligence gathering, critics have warned that state-controlled police forces could be vulnerable to political misuse by governors.
(The Whistler)
