By Stephen Simon
The Senate has defended the proposed bill seeking to establish state police, insisting that the initiative is aimed at addressing Nigeria’s worsening security challenges and should not be viewed through a political lens. Lawmakers said the reform is intended to strengthen internal security by allowing states to play a more active role in policing their territories.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, said the proposal was informed by the country’s evolving security realities, including kidnapping, banditry and communal violence, which have overstretched the capacity of the existing policing structure.
Adaramodu noted that state police have been the subject of national discourse for years and stressed that the National Assembly is committed to giving the proposal the attention it deserves. He said adequate constitutional safeguards would be put in place to prevent abuse by state governments.
According to him, concerns that governors could misuse state police for political purposes are legitimate but not insurmountable, adding that appropriate checks and balances can be built into the legislation to guarantee professionalism, accountability and respect for human rights.
The lawmaker explained that many federal systems across the world successfully operate decentralised policing arrangements, arguing that Nigeria should adopt a model that reflects its peculiar security and governance needs. He maintained that no single security structure can effectively police a country of Nigeria’s size and diversity.
The proposed constitutional amendment has continued to attract mixed reactions from political leaders, civil society organisations and security experts. While supporters argue that it will improve intelligence gathering and rapid response to crime, critics fear it could be abused by state authorities if not properly regulated.
Despite the differing views, the Senate expressed optimism that broad consultations and legislative scrutiny would produce a framework capable of strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture while protecting democratic principles and the rights of citizens.
