ABUJA, Nigeria — The Senate is set to begin consideration of a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish State Police across Nigeria this week, as the National Assembly moves to fast-track the proposal amid growing security concerns nationwide.
According to a statement issued by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs of the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, lawmakers have resolved to separate the State Police provision from the broader constitutional amendment process in order to accelerate its passage. The decision, he said, was driven by what lawmakers described as a matter of national urgency.
Okay News reports that Bamidele stated that key stakeholders across the country, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, state governors, the National Assembly, and security chiefs, are united in supporting the creation of State Police as part of efforts to strengthen internal security.
“Our position is very clear on state police. We are standing with Nigerians on the issue of state police. All strata of the federation have made it clear that there cannot be a better time to establish a state police than now,” the Senate Leader said.
He disclosed that the legislative week commencing on Tuesday will be significant, with the State Police bill expected to receive priority attention as senators begin deliberations on the proposed constitutional amendment.
