Kaduna Assembly backs constitutional amendment for state police

The Kaduna State House of Assembly has endorsed a proposed amendment to the 1999 Constitution that would allow the creation of state police services.

The proposal was forwarded to the Assembly by the National Assembly for approval by the state legislature.

Lawmakers gave their consent during Thursday’s plenary, chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Henry Magaji Dajuma.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Henry Marah, who represents Jaba State Constituency, told journalists after the session that the Assembly considered state policing a necessary step towards addressing security challenges.

He said the arrangement would enable security agencies to respond more effectively to crimes within communities, improve the protection of residents and their property, and provide job opportunities for young people.

Marah also faulted the current policing structure, saying it makes it difficult for state governments to ensure direct accountability when security agencies fail to address threats.

He explained that the proposed framework would support community-level security efforts and strengthen responses to banditry and other criminal activities.

The lawmaker said the Assembly would introduce legislation to establish operational guidelines and safeguard the welfare of personnel recruited into the proposed state police service.

He further stated that funding for the security initiative would receive priority, even if the state had to scale down expenditure on other projects.