Nigeria Senate Addresses State Police Concerns

The Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, has assured Nigerians that concerns regarding the proposed establishment of State Police will be addressed during ongoing constitutional reforms. This comes after the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, inaugurated an eight-member committee, chaired by Professor Olu Ogunsakin, to develop a framework for State Police. Senator Jibrin, who also chairs the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, emphasized the need for accountability, safeguards against abuse, and public trust in the new system. The initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen national security. Public hearings have been conducted across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones to gather stakeholder input, with proponents highlighting improved response times and local intelligence, while critics express fears of political misuse and funding constraints. The Senate is working to balance national security needs with public confidence in the proposed State Police system.