N’assembly to fast-track state police proposal after fresh attacks on schools
Opeyemi Bamidele, senate leader, says the national assembly will fast-track the establishment of state police following the abduction of students and teachers in Borno and Oyo states.
On Friday, terrorists abducted a yet-to-be ascertained number of students from a school in Mussa village, Askira/Uba LGA of Borno state.
On the same day, gunmen attacked and kidnapped at least 45 schoolchildren and teachers in Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and LA Primary School in Ogbomoso, all in Oriire LGA of Oyo state.
Bamidele condemned the attacks, describing them as a threat to Nigeria’s future and national development.
The lawmaker, who is also vice-chairman of the senate committee on the review of the 1999 constitution, spoke in a statement issued by his directorate of media and public affairs on Sunday.
Bamidele said the incidents highlighted the urgent need to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture through state policing.
He said the 10th national assembly is close to concluding the constitutional amendment process for the creation of state police.
“The 10th National Assembly is currently at the phase of concluding the process of amending the 1999 Constitution to pave the way for the establishment of state police,” he said.
Bamidele said the proposal would be transmitted to state houses of assembly after approval by the national assembly.
“The proposal would be transmitted to the State Houses of Assembly for consideration and scrutiny, which would require a two-thirds approval before the state police could come on stream,” he said.
He appealed to governors and state legislatures to support the proposal in the national interest.
The senate leader urged stakeholders not to politicise the issue or reduce it to ethnic and religious considerations.
Bamidele also called on federal and state governments to strengthen the safe school initiative as a temporary measure to tackle insecurity in schools.
He said the abduction of students and teachers continues to worsen Nigeria’s out-of-school crisis.
“The incessant abduction of students and teachers is a tragic national concern that negates our national development indices. We cannot and must not allow it to continue,” he said.
“At the National Assembly, we will rise against this trend and put an end to it through the instrumentality of legislation.”
Bamidele said lawmakers would also prioritise amendments to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, when plenary resumes on June 2.
