Ondo Assembly Passes State Police Bill

Ondo State House of Assembly has approved a proposed constitutional amendment to establish state police, citing the need to tackle insecurity, protect farmers and strengthen crime prevention at the grassroots.

The approval followed the consideration of the bill seeking to alter the 1999 Constitution to provide for the establishment of State Police Services during plenary on Monday.

The bill, transmitted to the Assembly by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Mr Kamoru Ogunlana, passed the second and third readings, with lawmakers supporting the proposed amendment by more than the required two-thirds majority.

The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, said the establishment of state police had remained a subject of national debate for more than two decades, adding that the Assembly had a responsibility to contribute to efforts to address the country’s security challenges.

“Following the extensive deliberations and thorough scrutiny of this bill by this Honourable House, it is clear that this is the least we can do to strengthen security and governance in our dear state,” Oladiji said.

He described state police as a practical necessity, saying Nigeria could not afford unnecessary delays in addressing insecurity.

The Committee of the Whole House, which examined the bill clause by clause, recommended that the Assembly grant concurrence to the proposed amendment, subject to an amendment to Section 317A(5).

During deliberations, the lawmakers identified improved intelligence gathering, faster emergency response and a better understanding of local security challenges as potential benefits of state policing.

‎They said the proposed structure would complement the Federal Police Service by addressing community-level security concerns, while allowing the federal police to focus more on interstate crimes and other complex security challenges.

‎The lawmakers also said state police could help protect farmers against kidnapping and attacks, improve security in farming communities and support food production.

‎They stressed the need to strengthen security along highways to protect road users and curb criminal activities.

Following the approval, the Speaker directed the Clerk of the Assembly to transmit the bill to the National Assembly alongside the observations and recommendations of the state legislature in line with the constitutional amendment process.