By Haruna Salami
The Senate’s move to consider State Police Bill aimed at creating a constitutional framework for the establishment of State Police Services across the country at its emergency plenary on Tuesday was hindered by the death of a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yaya Tongo from Gombe state.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio announced the demise late Honourable Yaya Tongo, who represented Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye federal constituency in Gombe State.
Meanwhile. Senator Akpabio read a letter from President Bola Tinubu on the State Police Bill, describing the proposed legislation as key component of ongoing efforts to reorganize Nigeria’s security architecture and strengthen the protection of lives and property nationwide.
The President noted that the proposed State Police framework would make security management more inclusive by integrating communities, traditional institutions, youth groups, elders, existing community policing structures, state governments, and the Federal Government into a coordinated security system.
Tinubu urged the Senate to give the State Police Bill before it “expeditious passage”, describing the proposal as a major step toward addressing Nigeria’s persistent security challenges through a more responsive and decentralized policing structure.
The bill seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution and builds on previous constitutional amendment efforts undertaken by both chambers of the National Assembly. It contains provisions designed to establish a viable policing system capable of responding more effectively to regional and national security concerns.
According to Akpabio copies of the State Police Bill have been given to members and were urged to expedite the submission of outstanding reports on constitutional amendment proposals to enable the legislature complete its work on key reforms without delay.
The Senate is expected to continue deliberations on the State Police Bill and other constitutional amendment proposals on the next adjourned day (Wednesday).
