Plateau Assembly pledges legislative backing for state police

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By Golok Nanmwa

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JOS — The Plateau State House of Assembly has declared its readiness to provide legislative backing for the establishment of state police, assuring that the proposed bill will receive priority attention once formally presented.

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Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Naanlong Daniel, gave the assurance on Thursday in Jos during an advocacy visit by the Plateau State Advisory Committee on State Police, led by retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG Habila Joshak.

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Daniel said the Assembly believes state policing will play a significant role in addressing the prolonged insecurity affecting parts of Plateau State and other regions of the country.

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According to him, lawmakers in the state have consistently advocated the establishment of state police and remain committed to supporting reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.

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The Speaker also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for demonstrating commitment to tackling insecurity and advancing measures designed to improve the nation’s security framework.

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He assured the committee of the legislature’s full cooperation and readiness to provide the legal support required to ensure the successful implementation of the initiative.

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Daniel stressed that security remains a collective responsibility and urged all stakeholders to work together toward achieving lasting peace across the state.

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Earlier, Chairman of the Advisory Committee, DIG Habila Joshak, said Plateau’s complex security challenges over the years make state police a critical step toward strengthening security management, improving intelligence gathering and restoring public confidence in law enforcement.

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Joshak said the committee is expected to serve as a reference point for other states as discussions on state policing continue across the federation.

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He noted that the role of the State Assembly in achieving the objective cannot be overstated, adding that lawmakers will be instrumental in providing the legal backing and careful legislative planning required for successful implementation.

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Joshak urged members of the Assembly to support the process, maintaining that state police would help address peculiar security concerns within communities and complement existing security structures.

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Also speaking, a member of the committee, Prof. Chris Kwajah, appealed to legislators to expedite action on the proposed legislation once it is presented.

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Kwajah described the initiative as an opportunity to tackle persistent security challenges and bridge perceived gaps in the conventional policing system.

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According to him, a state police structure would improve local intelligence gathering, enhance response to security threats and strengthen community participation in maintaining law and order.

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The committee maintained that the proposed state police framework would be inclusive and serve all citizens equally, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation, with fairness, professionalism and accountability as guiding principles.

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The Plateau State Advisory Committee on State Police was constituted by Governor Caleb Mutfwang in March to facilitate the implementation of state policing and provide guidance on its operational framework.

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