Members of the House of Representatives on Monday expressed overwhelming support for the Legislative framework which seeks to establish State and Community Police.
The lawmakers expressed the solidarity during the debate on the “bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 to provide for the establishment of State Police and to ensure effective Community Policing in Nigeria and for other related matters,” which passed through second reading.
Sequel to support, Speaker Yakubu Dogara referred the bill sponsored by Abiodun Awoleye (APC-Ogun) to the Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Chaired by Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun for further legislative inputs.
When passed into law, Federal Government is expected to establish State Police in all 36 States of the Federation and Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In his lead debate on the general principles of the proposed legislation, Awoleye emphasised the need for urgent amendment to the 1999 Constitution to allow the government establishment of a State Police.
He maintained that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) as presently constituted is highly centralized and far from the people.
Awoleye who frowned at the high level of crime and criminality in the country as a result of the centralised nature of the Nigeria Police Force, argued that the establishment of a service oriented State Police will change the orientation of the Nigeria Police.
In his remarks, Kayode Oladele (APC-Ogun) argued that men and officers of Nigerian Police lack requisite knowledge of the terrain.
He noted that in the current policing structure, once an officer is transfered, tracking and investigation of crime becomes difficult.
Oladele who doubles as Chairman, House Committee on Financial Crimes opined that a decentralised Police Force will address all forms of crimes including high tech crimes.
