By Bashir Bello, National Assembly Abuja
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs, Hon. Abubakar Makki Yalleman, has declared support for the bill seeking to establish state police in Nigeria.
Yalleman, who represents Mallam Madori/Kaugama Federal Constituency of Jigawa State, made the disclosure during an interview with newsmen in his Abuja office. He said relevant sections of the Constitution would be amended to allow for effective implementation of state police.
Citing the current security challenges, the lawmaker argued that indigenous communities know their people and terrain better, making it “only wise” to establish state police. He said the move would tackle insecurity from the grassroots while creating jobs for youths.
According to him, community and religious leaders will be carried along to ensure the bill succeeds. He noted that the Nigeria Police Force is working tirelessly, pointing to the recent rescue of a former Minister of Power’s biological sister as proof of their efforts.
Yalleman commended the police and faulted calls for the removal of the Inspector-General of Police. “He is new at the helm of affairs and inherited the security challenges. Nigerians should support him,” he said.
The committee chairman reaffirmed the House’s commitment to backing all security agencies. He added that security problems persist even in states like Zamfara where power changed hands from an APC to a PDP governor, stressing that this shows the need for a different approach.
“State police will ensure recruitment of people living in the area, including forest guards. That is the only solution,” Yalleman insisted.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives on Thursday passed for further legislative action the bill seeking the establishment of state police, following a decisive voice vote during plenary.
The proposal, considered under HB 617, is part of the ongoing Constitution alteration process aimed at restructuring Nigeria’s security architecture in response to rising insecurity across the country, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
