Edo Assembly Approves State Police Bill, Gives Green Light to Local Security
The Edo State House of Assembly has approved a Constitution Alteration Bill seeking the establishment of State Police, opening the way for Edo State to participate in the proposed decentralisation of policing in Nigeria.
The bill was presented to the House following the National Assembly’s decision to transmit the proposed constitutional alteration to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for consideration and approval in line with the legislative process.
Presenting the bill, the Majority Leader of the House, Mr Sunday Ojiezele, highlighted its importance and urged lawmakers to support the proposal.
For lawmakers backing the measure, the proposed State Police could bring policing closer to communities while creating additional employment opportunities.
The member representing Akoko-Edo Two, Mr Donald Okogbe, said the establishment of State Police would create jobs, while the member representing Ovia North-East One, Mr Charity Iguodala Aiguobarueghian, said a state-controlled police structure could strengthen security at the community level.
Contributing to the debate, the member representing Oredo West, Dr Richard Edosa, called for the establishment of an Edo State Police Service Commission to provide an institutional framework for the proposed police service.
Members representing Etsako East and Esan North-East Two, Mr Kingsley Ugabi and Mrs Maria Edeko respectively, also backed the proposal, saying it could contribute to restoring peace in communities affected by security challenges.
The bill was subsequently passed after it was moved by the Majority Leader, Mr Sunday Ojiezele, and seconded by the Minority Leader, Ms Natasha Osawaru.
The Speaker, Prince Yekini Idaiye, described the proposed alteration as germane, saying the establishment of State Police could help address security challenges while also creating employment opportunities for residents.
Following the approval, the Speaker directed the Clerk of the House, Alhaji Yahaya Omogbai, to forward clean copies of the concurrence resolution to the National Assembly.
The development places Edo among the states considering the proposed constitutional framework for State Police, as lawmakers across the country weigh how policing can be brought closer to the people while maintaining appropriate oversight and coordination with the existing federal security structure.
