Benue Governor Applauds State Police Bill Passage

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia praised the National Assembly for the passage of a bill aimed at establishing a state police structure that will operate alongside the existing federal police system in Nigeria. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, Alia described the bill's passage as a landmark legislative achievement that seeks to strengthen national security and enhance the protection of lives and property.

He emphasized that a state police system would work closely with local communities, allowing for quicker responses to security threats due to a better understanding of local dynamics. Alia expressed appreciation for President Bola Tinubu's visionary leadership and commitment to reforming the country's security architecture.

The Senate passed the bill with overwhelming support, marking a significant step in Nigeria's long-standing debate over decentralizing the country's police structure to address worsening insecurity. The bill empowers state governments to establish and maintain police services while retaining the federal police's responsibility for national security matters.