The Nigerian Senate has renewed calls for the establishment of state police as a solution to the worsening insecurity across the country. During a plenary session on Tuesday, lawmakers expressed concern over the increasing rate of violent crimes such as kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism, especially in rural areas.
Senator Bamidele Opeyemi, the Senate Leader, moved a motion on the urgent need to decentralize the nation’s policing system. He noted that the centralized Nigerian Police Force is overstretched and under-resourced, making it difficult to effectively respond to threats in various parts of the country. According to him, establishing state police would empower local authorities to tackle insecurity based on specific regional challenges.
Supporting the motion, several senators highlighted the alarming security situation in their constituencies. They argued that state police would allow governors, as chief security officers of their states, to take full control of internal security operations.
The Senate urged the Federal Government to support legislative efforts that would amend the Constitution to allow for the creation of state police. Lawmakers also called for improved funding, training, and equipment for existing security agencies in the meantime.
In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasized the need for collaborative action between federal and state governments. He assured that the Senate would work on necessary constitutional amendments to ensure effective and accountable state policing.
The renewed advocacy comes amid public outcry over recurring attacks, including those on schools, highways, and rural communities. Stakeholders have long debated state policing as a potential long-term solution to Nigeria’s security woes.
