Lagos Assembly charges NASS to prioritise creation of state police

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have tasked the National Assembly to prioritise the issue of state police, saying it is a necessary factor for investment inflow.

The lawmakers made the call during plenary held on Tuesday while debating the spate of insecurity in the country.

They also called on the National Assembly to commence the amendment of the 1999 constitution to give room for the creation of state police.

In his contributions, the Majority Leader, Hon. Naheem Adams, explained that creating state police would reduce unnecessary killings and kidnappings.

Also contributing, Hon Gbolahan Yishawu ( Eti-Osa 2) said decentralising the police will help improve the security situation in the coubtry.

He said: “We remember that it was you that sponsored the issue of LNSC. You have been hammering on the issue of state police. There is always one issue of insecurity or the other and there is nothing done about it.

“President Tinubu has resolved to put the country back on track but the more important thing is to put security in place because for the economic growth and investment inflow, security must be put in place. The number of police is not enough and it is important that each state has its own police. Centralising the police won’t help. Policing should be localised.”

The lawmaker representing Kosofe 2, Hon Femi Saheed, stated that the National Assembly should speed up the process of bequeathing state police to the sub nationals.

Saheed said: “The 10th Senate should speed up the process of bequeathing state police to the state. We have been contributing to the security architecture of the country. If we want to grow economically, security is the first thing that should happen.”

Contributing to the debate, Hon Akanbi Oluwa (Ajeromi/Ifelodun 2) said security of lives and property remains the fundamental function of the government, adding that decentralising the police structure would further enhance security.

Oluwa said: “Security of lives and property is our core function as a government. The Nigerian police is not serving the purpose it was created for. We have a state where the governor is referred to as the chief security officer because he cannot really enforce any security measures. This is why I believe the call for state policing is apt and in good time.”

Commending the lawmakers for their contributions, the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa said: “I thank all of you for your submission and I think we should make this discussion a double edge sword. While we call on Senate to consider state police, we should urge our governor to equip the LNSC with necessary equipment to be able to carry out their responsibilities effectively.

“In addition to that, they should be equipped with necessary equipment. The last time they were equipped was during former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration.

” lWe are calling on the National Assembly to begin the amendment of the constitional and also Governor Sanwo-Olu to equip the LNSC for them to be able to discharge their duties effectively.”