Bagos lauds Reps over State Police Bill, urges State Assemblies to back amendment

Former member of the House of Representatives and 2027 APC candidate for Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency, Hon. Dachung Musa Bagos, has commended the House of Representatives for passing the constitutional amendment bill seeking the establishment of State Police in Nigeria, describing the move as a bold and timely step towards addressing the country’s worsening security challenges.

Bagos, in a Press statement signed and issued to journalists in Jos, praised the leadership and members of the 10th House of Representatives for what he described as a patriotic decision capable of strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture and safeguarding lives and property.

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According to him, the passage of the bill reflects a growing recognition of the need for innovative and practical measures to combat insecurity, including terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes that have continued to threaten national stability.

“The successful passage of the constitutional amendment bill is a significant milestone in our collective efforts to address the security challenges confronting Nigeria. It demonstrates a commitment to improving public safety and ensuring a more effective security framework across the country”.

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Bagos noted that the creation of State Police has long been one of his major advocacies, stressing that he consistently championed the idea even before his election into the National Assembly in 2019 and throughout his tenure as a lawmaker.

He argued that decentralised policing would improve intelligence gathering, enhance response time to security threats,strengthen community policing and provide security agencies with better local knowledge required to tackle crimes at the grassroots level.

The former lawmaker, however, acknowledged concerns in some quarters regarding the possible misuse of State Police by state governments but maintained that such fears should not derail efforts aimed at reforming the country’s policing structure.

Rather than abandoning the initiative, he urged policymakers to establish strong constitutional safeguards, accountability measures and institutional checks capable of preventing abuse and ensuring that the proposed system serves the interests of citizens.

Bagos also called on the 36 State Houses of Assembly to support the constitutional amendment process by approving the bill when transmitted to them for consideration.

He emphasised that the cooperation of state legislatures would be critical in securing the constitutionally required two-thirds majority needed for the amendment to become law.

“This is a defining moment in our nation’s efforts to confront insecurity. Beyond political affiliations and sectional interests, we must prioritise the security and welfare of Nigerians. I urge all stakeholders to support this important reform in the interest of peace, stability and national development”.

The APC chieftain further stated that Nigeria could draw valuable lessons from countries where decentralised policing systems have contributed significantly to effective law enforcement and improved public safety.

He added that the country must seize the opportunity to take decisive action towards building a safer and more secure nation for all citizens.

Bagos expressed optimism that with the support of state assemblies and other critical stakeholders, the constitutional amendment would mark a major turning point in Nigeria’s quest to strengthen internal security and promote sustainable development.

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