From Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
The push for state policing in Nigeria has received fresh legislative attention, with the Yobe State House of Assembly approving the proposed establishment of a State Police Service alongside 25 other constitutional amendment bills.
The approval came during plenary as lawmakers considered 26 proposed alterations to the 1999 Constitution transmitted by the National Assembly to state legislatures for consideration and voting.
The decision places Yobe among the state legislatures participating in the ongoing constitutional amendment process, particularly the debate over whether states should be empowered to establish their own police services to complement the Nigeria Police Force.
Speaking on the resolutions, Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chiroma Buba Mashio, said the proposed amendments were forwarded to state legislatures to secure the approvals required under the constitutional alteration process.
Mashio explained that the endorsement of the State Police proposal was intended to provide a constitutional framework for states to establish and operate their own police services alongside the existing federal police structure.
He described state policing as a key component of the wider national conversation on security sector reform, amid growing calls for approaches that would strengthen the country’s response to emerging security challenges.
A NEW CHAPTER IN POLICING?
The proposed establishment of state police has remained a prominent issue in Nigeria’s security debate, with supporters arguing that decentralised policing could improve responses to local threats and enable security personnel to develop a better understanding of the communities they serve.
However, questions about funding, accountability, operational independence and possible political interference remain central to discussions surrounding the proposed reform.
Under the constitutional amendment process, the involvement of state Houses of Assembly is a critical step towards determining whether the proposed changes can be incorporated into the nation’s supreme law.
The 26 bills considered by the Yobe lawmakers seek to alter various provisions of the 1999 Constitution, with the State Police proposal among the major issues attracting national attention.
The Assembly’s approval reflects the position of Yobe lawmakers on the proposed amendments. The proposals must still satisfy the applicable constitutional requirements before the alterations can take effect.
With the Yobe Assembly’s endorsement, the debate over the future structure of policing in Nigeria continues to move through the legislative process, as the country considers possible changes to its security framework.
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