Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian President, has called on members of the Nigerian Senate to initiate constitutional amendments that would permit the creation of state police forces.
The President made the appeal on Wednesday during an interfaith breakfast with senators at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to him, the creation of State Police has become urgent to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges, strengthen grassroots policing, and enhance states’ capacity to respond swiftly to threats within their jurisdictions.
He noted that a decentralised policing structure would complement existing federal security architecture and promote intelligence-led, community-focused law enforcement.
“We are facing terrorism, banditry, and insurgency. But we will never fail to make a right response to this cause. What I will ask for tonight is for you (Senators) to start thinking how best to amend the constitution to incorporate the State Police for us to secure our country, take over our forests from marauders, and free our children from fear,” he said as quoted in a statement by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.
The President commended the cordial relationship between the executive and the Senate, saying that unity is needed to defeat terrorism and banditry in the country.
“It is a good thing that we are working in harmony, we are looking forward to a country that evolves, a country that takes care of its citizens and protects all,” he said.
President Tinubu thanked the Senate for its unflinching support towards achieving various economic reforms of his administration, especially the fuel subsidy removal and tax reform policy.
“I have a lot of credit for bold reforms. Without your collaboration and inspiration, those reforms would not be possible. We are reformists together. What we gave up and what we stopped is monumental corruption in the subsidy system. We don’t want to participate in monumental corruption and arbitrage foreign exchange.
“You don’t have to chase me for dollars; you could see what Nigeria is today. You should be proud, and I am glad you are. What we are enjoying is a stable economy, and prosperity is beckoning us. We need to work hard, and this attendance means a lot to me,” the President said.
In his response, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, commended President Tinubu for hosting the leadership of the Senate to the interfaith breaking of fast.
He acknowledged and commended the visionary leadership of President Tinubu and prayed for Nigeria’s continued peace and prosperity.
