Senate vows to speed up state police legislation amid rising insecurity

The Senate has pledged to accelerate the constitutional process required to establish state police, as security challenges including banditry, kidnapping, and terror attacks continue to escalate across Nigeria.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, gave the assurance in an interview, stating that the upper legislative chamber is fully prepared to commence the necessary constitutional amendments without delay. He said the Senate would deploy the required legislative stamina to ensure the establishment of state police, with the goal of securing citizens and driving out criminal elements.

The renewed commitment follows growing public outcry over worsening insecurity, including the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State, which reignited national concerns about school safety and the effectiveness of the current centralised policing system.

Adaramodu had earlier disclosed three days ago that the constitutional process for state police had already begun, adding that the Senate is desirous of supporting President Bola Tinubu in tackling the nation’s security challenges.

Proponents of state police argue that decentralised policing would enhance intelligence gathering, improve community-based security operations, and enable faster responses to emerging threats. They also believe state-controlled police forces would complement federal agencies in combating criminal activities spreading across the country.

The proposal, however, requires constitutional amendments that must be approved by the National Assembly and ratified by at least two-thirds of state Houses of Assembly. With the Senate reaffirming its commitment, the debate over state policing is expected to gain fresh momentum as lawmakers seek lasting solutions to Nigeria’s persistent security problems.