Northern senators renew call for state police

The Northern Senators Forum has renewed its call for the Federal Government and state governors to accelerate the passage of the State Police Bill. The senators argue that decentralized policing is essential for combating escalating insecurity and enhancing intelligence gathering at the local level.

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In light of these tragedies, we urgently call on the Federal Government, through the Presidential Working Group chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, State Governors, and State Houses of Assembly to give prompt attention and concurrence to the State Police Bill currently awaiting ratification.

This appeal comes in the wake of recent terrorist attacks in Adamawa and Sokoto states, which reportedly claimed the lives of more than 36 individuals, including security personnel and civilians. Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, Chairman of the forum, stated that the government, governors, and state Houses of Assembly must give prompt attention to the bill, which is currently awaiting ratification.

"Decentralised policing is critical to improving response time and intelligence gathering at the grassroots. State and Local Governments should invest in and strengthen community vigilante groups to serve as intelligence partners to the Police and Military," Yar’Adua said. He stressed the urgency of the situation, stating, "We cannot continue to lose innocent lives to insurgents while bureaucracy delays critical security reforms. The time to act is now."

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Decentralised policing is critical to improving response time and intelligence gathering at the grassroots. State and Local Governments should invest in and strengthen community vigilante groups to serve as intelligence partners to the Police and Military.

The forum condemned the attack on Gaya community in Adamawa State, where eight people were killed, and the attack on worshippers in Ungushi village, Sokoto State, which resulted in approximately 30 deaths. The senators expressed condolences to the victims' families and the affected states, reiterating the need for immediate action on security reforms.

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We cannot continue to lose innocent lives to insurgents while bureaucracy delays critical security reforms. The time to act is now.