On Tuesday, the House of Representatives advanced a bill to its second reading, proposing the establishment of state police in the country. Sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, and supported by 14 others, the bill aims to amend relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution, opening the door for states to create their own law enforcement agencies.
During the plenary session on Tuesday, lawmakers engaged in a spirited debate, emphasizing the need to prioritize the safety of Nigerians over political considerations. Deputy Speaker Kalu, standing in for Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, urged fellow members to rise above political ambitions and focus on the collective security concerns of both citizens and the nation.
Contributing to the discussion, Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos) highlighted the crucial role of the police in maintaining law and order. With a population exceeding 200 million, Nigeria currently relies on a police force of less than 400,000. Benson advocated for the creation of State Police as a strategic measure to address the internal security challenges facing the country.
