The Jigawa State House of Assembly has endorsed the proposed establishment of state police, citing the need to strengthen security at the grassroots and create employment opportunities for qualified indigenes.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists after the Assembly endorsed a constitutional amendment bill transmitted by the National Assembly to facilitate the establishment of state police.
Dangyatin said the proposed policing system was intended to address the country’s worsening security challenges, not to target political opponents or serve as an instrument for settling political scores.
“People are complaining about the current security situation in the country; therefore, the creation of state police will help in improving security,” he said.
He stressed that tackling insecurity required collective responsibility and cooperation among the federal and state governments, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders.
According to the Speaker, decentralizing policing would provide an additional layer of security at the grassroots, enabling authorities to respond more effectively to threats while complementing the efforts of existing federal security agencies.
He dismissed concerns that state police could be used to intimidate opposition members, insisting that its primary purpose should be to protect lives and property and improve public safety.
Dangyatin also said the proposed arrangement could create employment opportunities for qualified indigenes recruited into the new security structure.
He explained that a State Police Commission would be established to oversee the institution, including recruitment and other administrative responsibilities, in accordance with the provisions of the proposed constitutional amendment.
The Speaker added that the endorsement reflected lawmakers’ recognition of the need to explore additional measures to address insecurity and strengthen the country’s security architecture.
On funding, Dangyatin assured that the Jigawa State Government would provide adequate financial support for the proposed outfit to discharge its responsibilities effectively.
He, however, emphasized that the success of state police would depend on adequate funding, effective coordination and cooperation between the different levels of government.
The proposal to establish state police has remained a major issue in Nigeria’s security debate. Supporters argue that decentralized policing could improve local intelligence gathering and enable security personnel to respond more quickly to threats.
However, critics have raised concerns about possible political interference, abuse of power and the need for safeguards to ensure transparent recruitment, professional conduct and accountability.
The Jigawa Assembly’s endorsement comes amid ongoing constitutional reform discussions on the legal framework, operational responsibilities and oversight mechanisms required for the proposed state police system.
