Nigerian Senate
The Senate on Thursday passed, after first reading, a Bill seeking the amendment to the 1999 Constitution to allow for the creation of State and Community Police.
The federal lawmakers in the upper house had, on 3 July, agreed that Nigeria needed to create State Police to end the incessant killings in parts of the country.
The Bill’s first passage followed a move by Deputy Majority Leader, Sen. Bala Na’Allah, that the Bill be read.
And Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided, stated that the Committee on Constitution Review had fulfilled its mandate.
“Now the Bill has been taken for the first time,” he said.
“I am sure that as soon as possible, we will take the Second Reading and probably send it to public hearing through the committee so that we fast-track it as directed by the Senate.”
He also said, “The Federal Police, according to the Bill, shall be responsible for the maintece of public security, preservation of public order and security of persons and property throughout the federation,” he also said.
“It shall also provide state policing for any state that is unable to operate a State Police until such a time that a State Police is established by the House of Assembly of that state.”