By Jelili Gbadamosi
The Northern Senators Forum (NSF) has renewed its demand for the establishment of state police, following deadly terrorist attacks in Adamawa and Sokoto States that reportedly left more than 36 people dead.
The senators said the latest attacks had further exposed the weaknesses of Nigeria’s centralised policing system, particularly in responding swiftly to security threats in rural communities.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of the forum, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua (APC, Katsina Central), the lawmakers called on the Federal Government, state governors and Houses of Assembly to accelerate consideration of the State Police Bill currently before the Presidential Working Group led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The forum argued that decentralising policing would improve response time, intelligence gathering and security coordination at the grassroots.
The senators said Nigerians could no longer afford to lose innocent lives while security reforms were being slowed down by bureaucratic processes.
They strongly condemned the attacks on Gaya community in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State and Ungushi village in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State, describing the killings as unacceptable.
The lawmakers also called on state and local governments to strengthen community vigilante groups, which they said could work with security agencies by providing valuable intelligence on emerging threats.
The State Police Bill is part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process and requires approval by at least 24 of Nigeria’s 36 state Houses of Assembly before it can take effect.
Northern lawmakers have repeatedly maintained that the existing centralised police structure is overstretched and often unable to respond effectively to security challenges in remote communities.
While commiserating with the families of those killed and wishing the injured a speedy recovery, the senators said continued delays in implementing security reforms would amount to “a disservice to Nigerians.”
