Nigeria: Jigawa Assembly Passes State Police Bill

The Jigawa State House of Assembly has endorsed the proposed establishment of state police, describing the initiative as a necessary step towards addressing security challenges and creating employment opportunities for indigenes.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists after the lawmakers endorsed the constitutional amendment bill transmitted by the National Assembly for the establishment of state police.

Dangyatin said the proposed security arrangement was not intended to target political opponents or provide any government with an instrument for settling political scores.

He maintained that the primary objective of establishing state police was to strengthen the country's security architecture and improve the protection of lives and property amid growing public concerns over insecurity.

"People are complaining about the current security situation in the country; therefore, the creation of state police will help in improving security," the Speaker said.

He stressed that security was a collective responsibility that required cooperation among the federal and state governments, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders.

According to him, the establishment of state police would provide an additional opportunity to address security concerns at the grassroots level, while complementing the existing efforts of federal security agencies.

The Speaker added that the constitutional amendment bill would also provide an avenue for employment, particularly for qualified indigenes who could be recruited into the proposed state police structure.

Dangyatin explained that a State Police Commission would be established to coordinate the affairs of the new security outfit, including recruitment and other administrative responsibilities.

He assured that the Jigawa State Government would provide adequate financial support to enable the proposed state police to discharge its responsibilities effectively, in line with the provisions of the constitutional amendment bill.