Tinubu urged to ensure state police safeguards against abuse

The National Assembly has resolved to transmit the State Police Bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent after it received approval from 30 state houses of assembly, exceeding the two-thirds requirement of 24 states. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) confirmed this at a plenary session.

The bill seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to decentralize policing in Nigeria, a move that has garnered significant public support as a solution to ongoing security challenges. However, there are concerns regarding the potential misuse of state police by governors to target opposition leaders, particularly in light of recent incidents, such as the alleged attack on Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi by thugs linked to the Benue State government.

Governor Hyacinth Alia's administration has been accused of using political thugs to suppress dissent, raising alarms about the implications of state police on political freedoms.