Senator Arise Praises Tinubu for State Police Bill Passage

Senator Ayodele Arise, a former senator representing Ekiti North from 2007 to 2011, commended President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly for the rapid passage of the state police bill. This bill, approved by the Senate on Wednesday, seeks to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to establish a dual police structure, creating state police services alongside the federal police services.

The legislation has received endorsement from at least 24 state house assemblies and aims to end the federal government's exclusive control over policing, empowering states to manage their own police services. Arise described this development as a significant step towards reducing insecurity, particularly in combating kidnapping and violent crime.

He expressed confidence that the constitutional safeguards would prevent potential abuses by state governors. The proposed structure includes the establishment of a state police commission, which would require the governor to select candidates for the position of state police commissioner from a list of recommendations, ensuring a clear process for appointments.