A civil society organization has commended the Kogi State House of Assembly following its passage of constitutional alterations supporting the State Police Bill, describing the move as a major stride toward strengthening local security structures across Nigeria.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, Idris Miliki Abdul, Executive Director of the Lokoja-based Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), stated that securing communities requires collective responsibility and grassroots involvement.
Miliki noted that momentum toward establishing state policing is gaining significant traction nationwide, pointing to encouraging progress in meeting the constitutional mandate requiring ratification by at least 24 state assemblies. He emphasized that decentralized policing will prove vital in preventing and countering violent extremism at the sub-national level by directly engaging local communities in their own defense.
Following the state assembly’s approval, the rights group called on Nigeria’s National Assembly to conclude all remaining legislative processes without delay to enable final passage into law.
Additionally, the organization urged the Kogi State Government to proactively establish a review and implementation committee. According to the group, the panel would be tasked with formulating strategies and operational frameworks to guarantee seamless implementation immediately after the bill receives presidential assent and becomes an Act of Parliament.
