Reps Set For Crucial Vote On State Police Bill Thursday

The House of Representatives will on Thursday vote on a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state and local police, in what lawmakers describe as a major step toward tackling Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who chairs the House Committee on Constitution Review, disclosed this while briefing journalists after plenary on Wednesday.

According to him, the House has placed the state police proposal ahead of other constitutional amendment bills and directed lawmakers currently on oversight duties to return to Abuja for the voting exercise.

The bill, sponsored by Kalu and 14 other lawmakers, seeks to decentralise policing by allowing states and local governments to establish their own police structures.

Kalu said the move reflects the parliament’s determination to address growing insecurity across the country through constitutional reforms.