Ekiti Assembly passes state police bill

Benue State House of Assembly takes decisive action during Tuesday’s plenary session, passing a bill aimed at amending the Nigerian Constitution to permit the creation of state police. This move is part of a broader push to decentralize policing and tackle Nigeria’s complex security landscape. The bill, championed by the House Majority Leader, Peter Ipusu, during a presided over by Speaker Alfred Emberga, is seen as a crucial step forward.

Ipusu passionately argued for the immediate consideration of the proposed amendment, highlighting the potential benefits of state police. He believed that decentralizing policing would bolster intelligence gathering at the local level, streamline responses to emergencies, and strengthen overall law enforcement. Ipusu emphasized that such a decentralized approach could effectively combat various security threats, including rural banditry, farmer-herder conflicts, and urban violence, while also fostering employment opportunities and promoting accountability.

The proposed amendment seeks to create a robust constitutional framework for state police services, in addition to the existing Federal Police Service. This framework would clearly outline their responsibilities, funding mechanisms, and operational procedures. Following the assembly’s approval, Speaker Emberga instructed the Clerk of the House to inform the National Assembly of the decision.

Under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, significant constitutional changes typically require approval from at least two-thirds of the members in each chamber of the National Assembly, as well as resolutions backed by two-thirds of all State Houses of Assembly, before the President can give assent. Another significant decision taken by the Benue Assembly was the introduction of the Free Eye Screening and Cataract Surgery Bill for first reading by the Standing Committee on Rules and Business.

These decisions underscore the Assembly’s commitment to addressing key national challenges and underscore the importance of effective and accountable governance.