Reps Pass State Police Bill For Second Reading

By Linda Ike

The House of Representatives has passed for a second reading , a bill seeking to amend the 1999 constitution to allow for the establishment of state police across the country.

The bill was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Benjamin Kalu and fourteen other lawmakers.

The bill was refered to the house committee on constitution review after its passage, amidst fear that the members may be victims of the law as the state governors may throw their arrows on them.

Tolani Jaha form Kwara state who led the debate on the floor of plenary on Tuesday said the bill when passed will bring back the essence of true federalism and enable the states to address insecurity across Nigeria.

Supporting the debate, Ahmed Jaha from Borno state said establishment of the state police will help in fighting insurgency in the country. as it has helped in reducing insurgency in Borno state by the Civilian Joint Task Force.

Some members noted that policing is capital intensive and before establishing a state police, there is need to address socioeconomic issues of the society.