The Jigawa State House of Assembly has passed a bill seeking to establish state police following weeks of legislative review.
The Speaker, Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, expressed hope that the proposed security system would help Nigeria tackle its growing security challenges.
The bill was approved unanimously by lawmakers during a plenary session presided over by the Speaker.
Speaking to journalists after the session, Dangyatin explained that the delay in passing the bill was due to the need to examine its provisions carefully before reaching a decision.
He said the Assembly received the bill while lawmakers were on recess but began working on it immediately after resuming, leading to its eventual passage.
“We received the bill when the House was on recess, and when we resumed we began the work and expedited all our actions, and today we have finally passed it in accordance with the law,” Dangyatin said.
The Speaker said one of the major benefits of state police would be the recruitment of officers who understand the communities where they would serve.
According to him, such local knowledge would help officers understand the area’s geography, culture and other factors necessary for effective policing.
“Everyone to be recruited as state police will be a person that has full knowledge of his community, geographical terrain, cultural setup and other required experience to ensure professional and adequate policing,” he said.
Dangyatin also dismissed fears that state governors might use state police to intimidate or target political opponents.
He maintained that the proposed security outfit would operate within the law and serve the interests of all residents rather than those of any political group.
He assured the public that the Jigawa State Government would provide adequate funding to train and equip officers once the system was established.
The Speaker stressed that sufficient financial support would be essential to ensure that recruited personnel received the necessary training and equipment to perform their duties professionally.
He also praised President Bola Tinubu for supporting the establishment of state police, describing the approval of the bill by state assemblies as an important step towards addressing Nigeria’s security problems.
The passage of the bill marks the completion of its consideration by the Jigawa Assembly. However, the actual commencement of state police operations will depend on the remaining legal and administrative processes required to establish the system.