The Nigerian Senate has announced plans to commence urgent deliberations on the establishment of state police this week as part of ongoing efforts to address insecurity across the country.
Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this during a briefing with Senate correspondents, noting that the issue has been prioritised within the ongoing constitutional review process.
According to him, the upper chamber has held consultations with key stakeholders and is committed to advancing the proposal, which has gained widespread public attention amid rising security concerns.
“We are standing with Nigerians on state police. That will come to fruition this week during plenary,” Bamidele said.
He explained that once legislative deliberations are concluded at the National Assembly, the proposal would be transmitted to the 36 state Houses of Assembly for consideration, before eventual presidential assent.
Bamidele also addressed calls for a probe of the military, describing such demands as misplaced given the country’s current security challenges.
On the issue of lawmakers’ remuneration and recent controversy surrounding allowances and official vehicles, the Senate Leader said the upper chamber would soon make details of salaries and allowances of public office holders more transparent.
Defending the provision of official vehicles to lawmakers, he maintained that they were necessary for constituency engagement and legislative duties.
“Every vehicle given to us is meant for constituency work and other official assignments,” he said, adding that the Senate was not deterred by public criticism.
The development comes amid renewed national debate over governance costs, security reforms, and the structure of Nigeria’s policing system.
