House debates bill to reduce president’s control of police
The Senate on Wednesday began consideration of a bill seeking to amend the Police Act, 2020, to reduce the Nigerian president’s control of the police force.
The bill, which passed its first reading, came in the heat of many Nigerians’ clamour, including governors, to create state police.
Sponsored by Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, the bill seeks to establish Zonal Security Advisory Council and State Security Advisory Council to advise on the security challenges facing each zone or state, respectively.
If passed, the bill will give operational and budgetary powers to zonal commands.
“The bill seeks, among others, to amend the Police Act, 2020 toward the decentralisation of the police command structure with operational and budgetary powers vested in the zonal offices that are being sought to be created by the bill,” Mr Bashir.
He added, “The insertion of a new ‘Section’ 6(7)’ which provides for the structure of the Nigeria Police Force as follows: Section 6(7) Structure of the Nigeria Police Force. There is established for the Nigeria Police Force the following: (a)Force Headquarters, (b) Zonal Headquarters, (c)State Commands, (d) Training Institutes, (e)Area Commands, (f) Divisional Police Headquarters and (g) Police Station.”
Governor Kayode Fayemi on Tuesday had renewed his call for the decentralisation of the police.
Mr Fayemi, who spoke during an Arise TV broadcast on proposed that some items be taken off the exclusive list of the constitution and devolved to the state and local authorities, adding that Nigeria is the only country with a unitary policing system.
His call for police decentralisation is not a strange clamour amongst state governors. Governors Seyi Makinde and Rotimi Akeredou had also clamoured for state police.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
14 kidnap victims rescued in Katsina
Troops rescued six males and eight females abducted in Katsina State.
States
Police arrest suspected transformer vandal in Enugu
Police said the suspect was found unconscious with various degrees of injuries.
World
U.S. govt indicts 17 Iranians over cyber theft
Prosecutors said the suspects allegedly stole more than 31 terabytes of data from institutions across the U.S.
States
Gov Alia nominates six new commissioners, seeks Benue assembly’s approval
The governor said the nominations were intended to strengthen the state executive council by filling existing vacancies and replacing outgoing members.
Heading 1
Nigeria should remain designated ‘country of particular concern’, Tinubu allowing slaughtering of Christians: U.S. Lawmaker
“Do not remove the CPC designation for Nigeria. They have not done near enough to protect Christians! They continue to get slaughtered,” Mr Moore said.
NationWide
Tinubu pledges peaceful campaign ahead of 2027 elections
“Let us remember that elections are not a do-or-die affair. We are partners in the project of nation-building,” he said.
