The Plateau State House of Assembly has assured the State Advisory Committee on State Police of the 10th Assembly’s readiness to partner with relevant stakeholders to ensure the successful establishment and implementation of state police if the proposed legislation is eventually passed.
Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Naanlong Daniel, gave the assurance while receiving members of the Plateau State Advisory Committee on State Police during a courtesy visit to his office at the Assembly Complex in Jos on Thursday.
Daniel said Plateau had consistently advocated for the establishment of state police as a strategic solution to the recurring security challenges affecting communities across the state.
According to him, the proposed security arrangement would strengthen grassroots security, improve intelligence gathering, encourage community participation in security management and ensure quicker responses to emerging threats.
He said, “The establishment of State Police presents a unique opportunity to strengthen grassroots security, improve intelligence gathering, enhance community participation in security management, and ensure faster responses to emerging threats.”
The Speaker noted that the people of Plateau State had repeatedly expressed support for a security framework that is closer to the communities and more accountable to the citizens.
He also commended Governor Caleb Mutfwang for his foresight in constituting and inaugurating the Plateau State Advisory Committee on State Police.
Daniel assured the committee of the Assembly’s commitment to working closely with it in advancing the legislative process whenever the proposed law reaches the state legislature.
Earlier, Chairman of the Plateau State Advisory Committee on State Police and retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG Habila Joshak, said the committee was at the Assembly to formally seek legislative partnership and support in the ongoing consultations on the implementation of state police.
Joshak described the proposed legislation as a landmark development in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
He said, “The passage of the State Police legislation represents a historic milestone in Nigeria’s democratic and constitutional development.”
The retired police chief expressed confidence that collaboration between the executive, legislature and other stakeholders would lay a solid foundation for the successful implementation of state policing in Plateau State.
He urged members of the Assembly to sustain their support for the initiative, noting that effective community-based policing remains critical to addressing the nation’s growing security challenges.
