Nigeria's National Assembly advances state police bill; Tinubu warns terror financiers

Nigeria's National Assembly has taken significant steps toward decentralizing policing powers, with both chambers advancing a major constitutional amendment to establish state police. The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the bill, with 289 out of 290 members voting in favor. The Senate also passed the bill for its second reading.

In his Democracy Day address, President Bola Tinubu issued a stern warning to those financing terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping, stating they would "pay dearly." He highlighted security achievements, including the neutralization of over 13,000 terrorists and an 81% reduction in terror-related deaths since 2015.

A Federal Government panel uncovered significant irregularities in prison feeding contracts, recommending an increase in the daily allowance for inmates from N750 to N3,000 to combat malnutrition. The panel also noted the involvement of politically exposed persons in fund diversion.

The Senate has directed security agencies to arrest bandits and terrorists who brazenly display wealth on social media platforms like TikTok, deeming such actions an affront to state authority. Meanwhile, the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) questioned the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths of over 200 Amotekun personnel.

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Terror financiers will pay dearly.