Kaduna Assembly Approves State Police Bill

The Kaduna State House of Assembly has approved a bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide for the establishment of State police services.

The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 to Provide for the Establishment of State Police Services and for Related Matters, 2006”, was transmitted to the House by the National Assembly for concurrence.

It was approved during Thursday’s plenary presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Henry Magaji Dajuma.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the plenary, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon. Henry Marah, who represents Jaba State Constituency, said the House supported the proposed establishment of State police.

Marah said the proposed system would strengthen community security, improve the protection of lives and property, and create employment opportunities for youths.

He said the existing security structure limited state governments’ ability to hold police authorities directly accountable for security failures.

According to him, the proposed state police system would provide a legal framework for community-based security initiatives and strengthen local responses to banditry and other crimes.

Marah added that the House would enact appropriate laws to guide the operations and welfare of state police personnel when the proposal takes effect.

He assured that the state would prioritise funding for the proposed security outfit, even if it meant reducing expenditure on other projects.

The lawmaker urged residents to support the proposed state police system, saying improved security would enable farmers to return to their farms and harvest their produce without fear of kidnapping.

In another development, Marah said the House was considering an amendment to the Kaduna State Library Board Law to transform public libraries into electronic libraries and information and communication technology (ICT) centres.

He said the proposed amendment would enable the centres to coordinate e-library services across the state’s 23 local government areas.

According to him, the centres would provide free internet access and enable students to register for examinations, including those conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

He further explained that the initiative would reduce the need for students to travel long distances to access such services.

Marah also said the House was deliberating on a bill seeking to establish the Kaduna State Local Government Service Commission.