Sokoto Assembly approves plan for state police

The Sokoto State House of Assembly has agreed to the Sixth Alteration Bill. This bill aims to create a constitutional framework for state police services in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this decision came after a motion by the Deputy Majority Leader, Mustapha Abdullahi (APC-Sokoto South II), during a meeting in Sokoto on Tuesday.

While presenting the bill, Mr Abdullahi explained that it aims to change the Nigerian Constitution. The goal is to set up state police services while keeping the Nigeria Police Force as the federal police.

He noted that the federal government sent the bill, which the Senate looked at on June 24 and the House of Representatives on July 23. The Sokoto Assembly received the bill on September 22.

Mr Abdullahi said the new framework will clearly outline the duties of both federal and state police services. This is meant to improve policing and tackle security issues across the nation.

He explained that the federal police will deal with crimes that cross state lines and international crimes. This includes terrorism, cybercrime, border security, policing in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and protecting federal properties.

"On the other hand, state police services will focus on law enforcement, keeping public order and safety, protecting lives and property, and investigating local crimes.

"So, the federal and state police will work together in every state," Mr Abdullahi said.

He mentioned that the federal police can step in if a state governor asks for help or if a situation arises that the state police cannot handle.

Mr Abdullahi added that the head of a state police service will be called the State Commander of Police. The governor will appoint this person based on a recommendation from the National Police Council, with confirmation from the State House of Assembly.

He also mentioned that the bill suggests creating a State Police Service Commission. This body will be in charge of hiring, promoting, and disciplining state police staff, except for the state commander.

Regarding funding, Mr Abdullahi said the framework will allow the State Police Service Commission to get money directly from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund. This is to ensure they have financial independence.

He also pointed out that the Nigeria Police Force will keep working in every state until the state police services start.

Mr Abdullahi referred to Section 9(2) of the Nigerian Constitution. This section says that any change to the Constitution must get approval from two-thirds of the state assemblies.

During the discussion, many lawmakers backed the bill. They called for state policing as a vital step to tackle security issues in their states.

The Speaker, Tukur Bala, who led the meeting, called for a voice vote on the motion, and the lawmakers happily passed it.