Kogi Assembly Approves State Police Bill for Security Boost

The Kogi State House of Assembly has unanimously passed a constitutional amendment bill to establish state police in Nigeria, focusing on strengthening internal security, improving emergency response, and creating job opportunities for youths. Speaker Aliyu Umar Yusuf announced this during plenary discussions on the Constitution Alteration Bill.

He highlighted the increasing complexity of security threats such as terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping, which necessitate a decentralized policing structure. Yusuf noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had proposed this amendment to the National Assembly, where it was approved and sent to state assemblies for voting.

The establishment of state police would allow local recruitment, enabling personnel to better understand their communities and respond to security issues. Lawmakers supported the bill, arguing that it would enhance intelligence gathering and improve response times to emergencies.

They also pointed out that state police could alleviate the burden on the overstretched federal police force.