By Anayo Akwitti
The Northern Senators Forum has called on the Federal Government and state governments to fast-track the establishment and implementation of State Police, saying the time for decentralised policing is now.
The senators made the call on Friday while condemning recent terrorist attacks in Adamawa and Sokoto states that reportedly claimed the lives of more than 36 people, including security personnel and worshippers.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of the forum, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua (Katsina Central), the senators urged the Federal Government, through the Presidential Working Group chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, as well as state governors and Houses of Assembly, to give urgent attention to the State Police Bill awaiting ratification.
The forum said decentralised policing would improve response time, intelligence gathering and security coordination at the grassroots.
“Decentralized policing is critical to improving response time and intelligence gathering at the grassroots.
“We cannot continue to lose innocent lives to insurgents while bureaucracy delays critical security reforms. The time to act is now,” the senators said.
The forum also condemned the attacks on Gaya community in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State and Ungushi village in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The senators commiserated with the families of the victims and prayed for the repose of the souls of those killed, while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
They further urged state and local governments to invest in and strengthen community vigilante groups, describing them as important intelligence partners to the police and military in combating terrorism and other security threats.
“The Northern Senators Forum strongly condemns the recent wave of terrorist attacks in Gaya community, Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State and Ungushi village, Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State, which have claimed the lives of over 36 Nigerians, including security personnel and innocent worshippers,” the statement said.
The forum stressed that urgent security reforms were necessary to protect lives and strengthen the capacity of security agencies to respond effectively to threats in vulnerable communities.
