NCYP Applauds Tinubu, Lawmakers Over State Police Bill Amendment

The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) has congratulated the National Assembly for passing the constitutional amendment bill for the establishment of State Police in Nigeria.

“We particularly commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for rising to the occasion at a critical time when the nation is grappling with insurgency, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes,” the group said.

“The President as the Chief Security Officer of the nation has demonstrated leadership by transmitting the Executive Bill, a bold step towards strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture,” said the Chairman of NCYP, Comrade Isaac Abrak in a statement on Thursday.

“NCYP is of the opinion that the proposed establishment of State Police will bring policing closer to the people, improve intelligence gathering and enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies to respond swiftly to local security threats,” Abrak said. He added: “Had such a system existed earlier, many security challenges confronting the country today could have been addressed before escalating into the serious threats we now face.

“We, therefore, call on the 36 State Houses of Assembly to expedite action on the constitutional amendment to enable its timely ratification and eventual signing into law,” he added. Every delay has a cost as innocent Nigerians continue to lose their lives and livelihoods to criminal activities”.

He said, “We also commend the long-standing advocates of State Police, namely Senator Uba Sani, Governor, Kaduna State, who sponsored a State Police bill in the 9th National Assembly, former Lagos State Governor and former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola and former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu,” adding that “their commitment to strengthening the security framework of Nigeria deserves to be recognised and commended.”
“NCYP is particularly encouraged that the proposed establishment of State Police is coming at the time when the Federal Government is implementing the Forest Guard initiative. “Forest Guards will help secure Nigeria’s forests and deny criminals safe havens, whilst State Police will strengthen community-based policing and bring security closer to the people. “The combined effect of these initiatives will improve security at the grassroots, intelligence gathering and Nigeria’s capacity to fight insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality,” Abrak said.

Concerns have been raised that some State Governors could misuse State Police for political purposes, but NCYP Chairman said that “the Executive Bill has safeguards that are meant to prevent such abuse and ensure accountability.”

The National Police Council reviews the appointment and operational supervision of State Police and there are provisions for the Federal Police to intervene in exceptional situations where a State Police Service cannot control a breakdown of law and order, reports say the statement said.

“These safeguards demonstrate that the proposed State Police system is not meant to put unchecked policing powers into the hands of State Governors,” said Abrak. Instead it seeks to balance grassroots policing with national oversight, professionalism and accountability. Therefore, we urge Nigerians to support this important reform while remaining open to future improvements that could further enhance its effectiveness and integrity.”

“The proposed establishment of State Police is one of the most important security reforms in Nigeria’s democratic history. He said NCYP urges all stakeholders to support its successful implementation in the interest of peace, security and national development”.