ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Distinguished personalities such as former military Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, and retired Catholic Archbishop John Onaiyekan converge in Abuja today for a crucial national dialogue on state policing.
The dialogue, spearheaded by the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, marks the commencement of discussions on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) Bill 2023 (Establishment of State Police), championed by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and 13 others.
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The bill aims to enhance public safety and fortify law enforcement in Nigeria through the decentralization of the police force.
It proposes the establishment of state police alongside the federal police, offering a constitutional framework for states interested in establishing and managing their own law enforcement agencies.
In his opening remarks, Kalu, who leads the House Constitution Review Committee, emphasized that the bill seeks to delineate the powers and duties of both federal and state police while ensuring adequate funding and oversight.