The Jigawa State House of Assembly has endorsed the proposed constitutional amendment to establish state police in Nigeria, backing efforts to strengthen security and improve responses to threats at the grassroots.
The approval was given during plenary on Tuesday, October 27, at the Assembly Complex in Dutse, under the leadership of Speaker Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin.
Dangyatin said lawmakers had carefully examined the proposed amendment and considered it important to the security and welfare of residents in Jigawa State and Nigeria at large.
He explained that the current centralised policing structure was under pressure and had struggled to adequately address security challenges in some communities, particularly rural areas.
According to the Speaker, the proposed state police system would bring law enforcement closer to residents and enable authorities to respond more effectively to security concerns specific to their communities.
He added that the Assembly established a special ad hoc committee to examine the proposed amendments and consult relevant stakeholders before reaching its decision. Traditional rulers, civil society organisations and professional bodies were among those consulted, he said.
The endorsement forms part of the nationwide constitutional amendment process aimed at introducing a dual policing structure comprising federal and state police services. The proposal must complete the required constitutional procedures before the new arrangement can be implemented.
The development adds Jigawa to the growing number of states supporting the proposed reform, which has generated national debate over security responsibilities, funding, accountability and safeguards against the misuse of police powers.
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