Insecurity: Northern governors demand quick passage of state police bill
The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has urged the national assembly to swiftly pass the bill for the establishment of state police. During a meeting in Kaduna, Governor Muhammadu Yahaya of Gombe, who chairs the forum, emphasized the critical need to revisit the nation’s security strategies in light of the resurging Boko Haram attacks and violent incidents in the north-central region.
Yahaya stated, “We recommend that going forward, such a collaborative approach should guide all matters of intergovernmental relations in the interest of the people.” He commended President Bola Tinubu for engaging with stakeholders over recent tax reform discussions, affirming his “commitment to inclusive governance.”
Commenting on infrastructure issues, Yahaya expressed concern over the neglected state of many projects in Northern Nigeria, stating, “The state of infrastructure in Northern Nigeria remains a cause for major concern.” He acknowledged ongoing projects like the Kaduna-Kano-Katsina-Maradi rail line but stressed that others, such as the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line, require attention.
In a communique issued after the meeting, the forum resolved to create inter-state platforms to coordinate joint border surveillance and to collaborate closely with the Nigerian Governors Forum to enhance support for federal security forces. The governors also reiterated their backing for the state police initiative, calling on the national assembly to expedite the legal framework to facilitate its implementation.
The bill, which seeks to move “police” from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list in the 1999 constitution, remains a topic of controversy. While proponents argue it would empower states to address local security challenges, critics warn it could be misused by governors to suppress dissenting voices.
Source: TheCable
