Abbas Advocates for State Police Compliance with Standards

During a keynote address at a security roundtable held in Abuja, Abbas called for state police to comply with national standards as part of a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at reforming Nigeria's security architecture. He described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's decision to transmit an executive bill to the National Assembly regarding state police as a bold step to address Nigeria's security challenges.

This marks the first time in history that a sitting president has made state police a central part of national reform. Abbas explained that the bill would rename the Nigeria Police Force to the Federal Police Service and empower states to establish their own police services, provided they meet national minimum standards.

The bill includes safeguards against political abuse and outlines the responsibilities of federal and state police. Abbas urged for a sustainable financial framework to support compliance with national standards and called for the integration of criminal biometrics and intelligence-sharing platforms to enhance security.