Senator Defends Proposal for State Police Force in Nigeria
Senator Jibrin Barau, the Senate Vice-President and Chairman of the Senate Constitutional Review Committee, defended President Bola Tinubu’s proposal to establish a state police force. Emphasizing its potential effectiveness, he assured Nigerians that the initiative would incorporate constitutional safeguards to prevent human rights abuses. Barau described the proposal as a significant security reform aimed at addressing Nigeria’s escalating security challenges.
According to Barau, the proposed state police system is intended to complement the existing Nigeria Police Force. It aims to enhance community-based policing, thereby improving responses to issues such as robbery, kidnapping, and other violent crimes that plague residents across the nation. His comments came during a live broadcast of the Hausa program “Hannu da Yawa” on Radio Nigeria Kaduna, as conveyed by his media advisor, Ismail Mudasir.
The senator explained that the presidential bill had undergone thorough consultation and legislative review, which included public hearings across six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory. Barau noted that the proposal was crafted through collaboration with a diverse group of stakeholders, including the President, the National Assembly, the Inspector General of Police, former police officers, security experts, state governors, civil society organizations, and the public. This approach aimed to address the concerns raised by Nigerians regarding the potential misuse of the state police by political leaders, leading to the incorporation of essential safeguards in the constitutional amendment.
Barau indicated that President Tinubu had carefully analyzed the public sentiment towards state police and recognized the risks of politicized misuse within the national police. As a result, the proposed framework would include protective measures. He further explained that officers in the state police would be recruited locally, ensuring they possess a deep understanding of their communities, including local dynamics and security challenges. This local insight would enhance intelligence gathering, empowering security agencies in their fight against criminal activities.
Responding to inquiries from listeners during the radio program, Barau emphasized that northern states facing persistent attacks from bandits and kidnappers would significantly benefit from this new policing structure. He reiterated that the constitutional provisions would serve as checks against any abuse of power by state police. In instances where state police are suspected of intimidating citizens or threatening lives and property, the President holds the constitutional authority to direct the Nigeria Police Force to take over security operations in those regions.
Barau clarified that the responsibilities of the Federal Police and the State Police would be distinctly defined. The Nigeria Police Force would retain jurisdiction over national security issues such as terrorism and cybercrime, while the State Police would focus on law enforcement and maintaining public order. He also addressed concerns regarding funding and operational capacity, assuring that financial provisions and operational guidelines would be developed alongside the constitutional amendment and supporting legislation.
Expressing his confidence in the proposal, Barau urged Nigerians to view this initiative as a vital reform aimed at bringing policing closer to the populace and enhancing the overall security landscape. He stressed the need to redesign Nigeria’s security architecture to better protect citizens and prevent abuse, describing the effort as balanced and consultative, with built-in safeguards. During the two-hour program, he engaged with listeners on various inquiries regarding insecurity and other pertinent national issues.
