The bill to introduce state police has successfully passed its second reading before the House of Representatives.
Sponsored by 13 members of the House, the bill received overwhelming support from the majority of lawmakers who prioritized addressing the current state of insecurity in the nation over concerns of political victimization by state governors.
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Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and 36 state governors had earlier convened to deliberate on state police as a viable solution to prevalent security challenges such as kidnapping and banditry.
Despite being a controversial issue since the Seventh National Assembly, state police has finally made progress in the amendment segment.
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Governors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reiterated their stance on state policing as the key to improving the nation’s deteriorating security situation, warning that Nigeria is heading towards a situation similar to Venezuela.
Moreover, various regional socio-political organizations, including Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Middle Belt Forum, and the Northern Elders’ Forum, have consistently advocated for the implementation of state police as a viable solution to the escalating security challenges faced by the nation.
Furthermore, states within the South-West geopolitical zone have already established Amotekun, while their counterparts in the South-East have created their own state-owned security outfit known as Ebube Agu.
Additionally, the Benue Guards has been actively operating in Benue State located in the North Central region. Similarly, states like Katsina, Zamfara, and other areas prone to banditry have also launched similar state-established security initiatives.
However, these initiatives have proven to be ineffective as expected due to the lack of support from the Federal Government or the Presidency.
States are continually requesting permission for groups like Amotekun, Ebube Agu, and others to be authorized to carry assault rifles such as AK-47s to combat heavily armed attackers.
