Lawmakers in Jigawa State have given their backing to the proposed creation of state police, noting that the move is a vital step toward tackling security issues and providing job opportunities for local residents.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists after the lawmakers endorsed the constitutional amendment bill transmitted by the National Assembly for the establishment of state police.
Dangyatin said the proposed security arrangement was not intended to target political opponents or provide any government with an instrument for settling political scores.
He maintained that the primary objective of establishing state police was to strengthen the country’s security architecture and improve the protection of lives and property amid growing public concerns over insecurity.
“People are complaining about the current security situation in the country; therefore, the creation of state police will help in improving security,” the Speaker said.
He stressed that security was a collective responsibility that required cooperation among the federal and state governments, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders.
According to him, the establishment of state police would provide an additional opportunity to address security concerns at the grassroots level, while complementing the existing efforts of federal security agencies.
The Speaker said the proposed arrangement was not designed to undermine any political party or victimise members of the opposition, but to improve public safety and strengthen the capacity of governments to respond to security threats.
He added that the constitutional amendment bill would also provide an avenue for employment, particularly for qualified indigenes who could be recruited into the proposed state police structure.
Dangyatin explained that a State Police Commission would be established to coordinate the affairs of the new security outfit, including recruitment and other administrative responsibilities.
He said the commission would play an important role in ensuring that the proposed institution operated within the framework established by the constitutional amendment.
The Speaker further noted that state assemblies across the country had expressed support for the bill because of its potential to improve security at both state and national levels.
He said the endorsement reflected the importance lawmakers attached to exploring additional approaches to tackling insecurity and strengthening the country’s security system.
On funding, Dangyatin assured that the Jigawa State Government would provide adequate financial support to enable the proposed state police to discharge its responsibilities effectively, in line with the provisions of the constitutional amendment bill.
He emphasised that the success of the initiative would depend not only on its establishment but also on adequate funding, effective coordination and cooperation among the different levels of government.
The proposed establishment of state police has remained a major issue in Nigeria’s security debate, with supporters arguing that decentralising policing could improve local intelligence gathering and enable security personnel to respond more quickly to threats.
However, concerns have also been raised over the possibility of political interference, abuse of power and inadequate safeguards in the recruitment and deployment of personnel.
The Jigawa Assembly’s endorsement comes amid continuing discussions on constitutional reforms aimed at determining the legal framework, operational responsibilities and oversight mechanisms for the proposed state police system.
What You Should Know
The Jigawa State House of Assembly has officially endorsed the constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police across the country. According to the state’s lawmakers, decentralizing policing will help tackle insecurity right at the grassroots level and complement the efforts of federal security agencies.
- Positive Impact: The initiative aims to improve local intelligence gathering, quicken responses to security threats, and create employment opportunities for qualified residents who will be recruited into the force.
- Potential Concerns: While supporters praise the move for localizing security, critics and observers often worry about the potential for political interference, misuse of power by state authorities, and the need for sustainable funding to keep the outfit effective.
