By Oluwakemi Kindness
The House of Representatives says it will vote on the proposed State Police Bill on Thursday as part of efforts to tackle Nigeria’s growing insecurity.
Deputy Speaker of the House, Benjamin Kalu, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja while addressing members of the House of Representatives Press Corps on behalf of the 37 caucus leaders in the Green Chamber.
Kalu said the constitutional amendment seeking the establishment of state police had become necessary in response to rising cases of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country.
He noted that the National Assembly has a responsibility not only to oversee security agencies but also to strengthen the country’s security architecture through legislation.
According to him, extensive consultations on the proposal have been concluded, with the Inspector-General of Police, the executive arm of government and the 36 state governors expressing support for state policing.
Kalu argued that existing constitutional provisions, particularly Section 214, do not adequately support the decentralised policing structure needed to improve security response and address emerging threats.
He dismissed reports of attempts to frustrate the proposal, insisting that lawmakers remain united behind the initiative.
“We are here to announce to Nigerians that hope is coming. By tomorrow, we will be voting on the constitutional amendment and we are prioritising state police,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker expressed confidence that state assemblies would ratify the amendment once passed by the National Assembly, citing the support already shown by governors across the federation.
He also urged lawmakers currently on oversight assignments nationwide to return to Abuja for Thursday’s plenary, describing the vote as a critical step in addressing the country’s security challenges.
