The Nigerian Senate has pledged to begin urgent deliberations on the establishment of state police this week as part of renewed efforts to tackle worsening insecurity across the country.
Speaking during a media briefing with Senate correspondents, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the issue of state policing had become one of the top priorities in the ongoing constitutional amendment process.
Bamidele explained that the upper legislative chamber had aligned itself with growing public calls for decentralised policing, adding that consultations had already been held with critical stakeholders to advance the proposal.
According to him, lawmakers are determined to speed up legislative action on the matter so the bill can progress through the constitutional process, including consideration by state houses of assembly before eventual presidential assent.
“We are standing with Nigerians on state police. That will come to fruition this week during plenary,” he said.
“We have been holding a series of meetings with stakeholders and will fast-track deliberations so that the bill can proceed to the 36 state houses of assembly and eventually receive presidential assent.”
The renewed push for state police comes amid persistent security challenges across several parts of the country, including banditry, kidnapping, communal violence and attacks by armed groups.
Bamidele also used the briefing to dismiss recent calls for a probe of the military, describing such demands as unpatriotic at a time when security agencies are confronting multiple threats nationwide.
He argued that probing the armed forces under current circumstances would amount to a misplacement of priorities and could undermine ongoing security operations.
On concerns surrounding the remuneration of federal lawmakers, the Senate Leader said the National Assembly would soon address public scrutiny by publishing details of the salaries and allowances of senators, ministers and other public office holders.
His comments followed public reactions to recent court pronouncements reportedly declaring the procurement of N110 billion worth of Sports Utility Vehicles for lawmakers, alongside aspects of their allowance structure, as illegal.
Defending the controversial vehicle purchase, Bamidele insisted that the SUVs were acquired strictly for official assignments, including constituency engagements and legislative oversight functions.
“Every vehicle given to us is meant for constituency work and other official assignments. Public office holders are entitled to such provisions. It is neither strange nor peculiar to lawmakers in Nigeria,” he stated.
The Senate Leader further noted that criticism of the legislature was not unexpected, stressing that lawmakers often face opposition because of their constitutional oversight responsibilities.
He maintained that despite public criticism, the Senate would continue to carry out its legislative duties in line with constitutional provisions and national interest.
