How state police will curtail rising insecurity —Dep. Speaker, Kalu

As the bill for the establishment of State Police and Related Matters scaled through the second reading in the Federal House of Representatives, the House Deputy Speaker, Honourable Benjamin Kalu, has explained how the bill, if enacted will checkmate the rising wave of insecurity across the 36 states of the Federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). 

The Deputy Speaker, who sponsored the bill at the Green Chamber, gave the insight on his verified X handle on Tuesday night.

He said: “Today, the bill for the alteration of the Constitution to provide for the establishment of State Police and Related Matters, sponsored by myself and some other colleagues, passed through the second reading in the House of Representatives.

“Given recent security challenges, establishing state police has become not just necessary but urgent to empower states in addressing local issues. 

“The bill, when enacted, will ensure that policing authority moves from the Exclusive to the Concurrent Legislative List, granting states control over policing. It also introduces a robust framework for coordination, accountability, and uniform standards between Federal and State Police, while implementing safeguards to prevent undue Federal interference,” he stated.

According to him, “The bill also establishes distinct State Police Service Commissions, delineating their roles and jurisdictions.”