Edo Assembly backs establishment of State Police, passes bill

By Jethro Ibileke

The Edo State House of Assembly has unanimously approved the constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish State Police in Nigeria.

The bill, forwarded to the Assembly by the Clerk of the National Assembly for consideration and concurrence, was passed during plenary in Benin City after robust debate.

Opening the debate, the Majority Leader, Hon. Osezua Sunday Ojezelle, highlighted the significance of the amendment to tackling insecurity and called on members to support it.

The member representing Akoko-Edo II, Hon. Donald Okogbe, described the proposal as a bold and courageous step, adding that apart from improving security, state policing would create jobs for the youth.

Also speaking, Hon. Charity Aiguobarueghian, representing Ovia North-East I, said state police would strengthen grassroots security by bringing policing closer to the people.

Hon. Richard Edosa (Oredo West) advocated for the establishment of an Edo State Police Commission to regulate and oversee the operations of the state police, while Hon. Kingsley Ugabi (Etsako East) and Hon. Maria Edeko (Esan North-East II) said the initiative would help restore peace in communities across the state.

Following deliberations, Ojezelle moved a motion for the passage of the bill, which was seconded by the Minority Leader, Hon. Natasha Osawaru Irobosa, and unanimously adopted by the House.

The concurrence by the Edo Assembly is part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process, which requires approval by at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly after passage by the National Assembly before it can become law.