State Police Bill: Northern Senators Urge Swift Action After Deadly Attacks

On Friday, the Northern Senators Forum appealed to both the Federal Government and state governors to accelerate progress on the State Police Bill currently under consideration. The forum emphasized that a decentralized policing system is essential for effectively addressing escalating insecurity and enhancing intelligence collection within local communities. This plea followed the senators' condemnation of recent terrorist incidents in Adamawa and Sokoto states, which reportedly resulted in over 36 fatalities, including security operatives and congregants.

Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, who chairs the forum, issued a statement on Friday, urging the Federal Government, state chief executives, and State Houses of Assembly to prioritize and ratify the State Police Bill. This renewed push comes against a backdrop of increasing worries about security challenges across Northern Nigeria and ongoing deliberations regarding the creation of state police forces as a key component of strengthening the nation's overall security framework.

According to the forum, suspected Boko Haram militants launched an assault on Gaya community in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State on the night of Monday, August 17. The attack claimed eight lives, comprising a police inspector and seven civilians. Senator Yar’Adua further disclosed that the assailants also torched two residential buildings during the unfortunate event.

Senator Yar’Adua was quoted as saying, “In light of these tragedies, we urgently call on the Federal Government, through the Presidential Working Group chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, State Governors, and State Houses of Assembly to give prompt attention and concurrence to the State Police Bill currently awaiting ratification. Decentralised policing is critical to improving response time and intelligence gathering at the grassroots. State and Local Governments should invest in and strengthen community vigilante groups to serve as intelligence partners to the Police and Military. We cannot continue to lose innocent lives to insurgents while bureaucracy delays critical security reforms. The time to act is now.”

Furthermore, the senators denounced a separate incident that occurred on Friday, August 15, targeting worshippers in Ungushi village, Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The forum reported that alleged members of Lakurawa, a faction supposedly connected to extremist groups operating in Mali and Niger, assaulted the congregants during Friday prayers, leading to the deaths of approximately 30 individuals. This incident reportedly took place hours after four soldiers were ambushed and killed in the same vicinity. Senator Yar’Adua extended his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families, as well as to the administrations and citizens of both Adamawa and Sokoto states.