Presidency reports significant progress on state police constitutional framework
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The Presidency announced on Thursday that substantial progress has been made towards establishing state police, with constitutional amendments anticipated soon. Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, shared this update after a consultative meeting in Abuja. Discussions on the state police framework began months ago under President Bola Tinubu's directive and have now reached the stage of considering necessary constitutional changes. Gbajabiamila emphasized that the process requires careful consideration of constitutional and legal issues. He stated that the focus is currently on the constitutional amendment, with enabling legislation to follow. The push for state police has gained momentum due to persistent security challenges like banditry, insurgency, and kidnapping. Critics argue that the current centralized Nigeria Police Force is overstretched and disconnected from local realities. Some states have already formed complementary security networks, such as Amotekun, which operate without full constitutional backing. Gbajabiamila noted a growing national consensus on the need for state police, shifting discussions from whether to adopt it to how to develop the appropriate legal and institutional framework. President Tinubu, a proponent of state police for strengthening Nigeria’s security, will receive a comprehensive report on the meeting's outcome. The meeting is part of ongoing federal consultations to create a workable framework for state police, aiming to en
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