The Ondo State House of Assembly has passed a bill seeking an amendment to the 1999 Constitution to pave the way for the establishment of state police services.
The bill was approved after lawmakers deliberated on it during Monday’s plenary session in Akure.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the proposal was presented to the House through a letter from the Clerk of the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana. The letter was read on the floor by the Speaker, Olamide Oladiji, on September 24.
Leading the motion for the passage of the bill and its transmission to the National Assembly, House Leader Olatunji Oshati said lawmakers had carefully considered the potential impact of the proposed constitutional amendment on residents.
According to Oshati, the creation of state police would help tackle the various security challenges facing the country.
The motion was seconded by Allen Oluwatoyin, an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker representing Ese-Odo State Constituency.
Speaking on the development, Speaker Oladiji described the establishment of state police as a long-overdue step, noting that it would allow security agencies to respond more quickly to criminal activities and other security threats.
He explained that a grassroots-based policing system would help reduce crime by improving intelligence gathering and enabling security agencies to take proactive measures.
“There will be greater confidence in state policing. It will strengthen intelligence gathering and provide grassroots security,” he said.
Oladiji commended his colleagues for their contributions to the bill and its eventual passage.
The bill is expected to be forwarded to the National Assembly for further legislative consideration.
(NAN)
