APC Speakers Back State Police, Commits To Full Implementation

By Mohammed Abubakar Dutse

Speakers of State Assemblies elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) have thrown their weight behind the State Police Bill passed on Wednesday by the Senate, assuring of its full implementation.

Under the aegis of the Forum of Progressive Speakers of State Legislators, the Speakers described the passage of the law by the Senate as a landmark achievement by the present administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, Chairman of the Forum in a statement in Dutse on Thursday said the body has commendably received and praised the passage of the landmark State Police Bill into law by the Senate.

The statement described the development as a historic turning point for Nigeria’s internal security architecture. Therefore, the Forum lauded the legislative courage and vision behind the bill’s passage, noting that decentralising policing is a critical step toward safeguarding lives and property across all sub-nationals.

Dangyatin stated that the passage of this bill is a resounding victory for effective governance and community-focused policing.

“For years, the clamour for a security structure that understands the local terrain has been loud. With this enactment, we are empowering states to better protect their people, respond swiftly to security threats, and foster closer collaboration between citizens and law enforcement.

“To ensure the seamless transition and successful takeoff of state police forces, the Forum has pledged its unalloyed support and commitment to the implementation process.

“Moving forward, the forum has assured the public and relevant stakeholders of the following actions: State Houses of Assembly under the APC banner will fast-track the ratification and creation of robust legal frameworks tailored to the unique security needs of their respective states.

The forum expressed its commitment to designing stringent oversight mechanisms to ensure state policing operates within the bounds of human rights, professionalism, and the rule of law.

“The forum will work closely with state executives to ensure adequate budgetary allocations for the training, equipping, and welfare of the new state police personnel.

“The forum extended its profound appreciation to the leadership of the National Assembly, the Executive arm of government, and all stakeholders who championed this legislative milestone. The Forum remains confident that this bold step will significantly reduce crime, restore absolute peace, and drive economic prosperity across the nation”, he noted