The Northern Senators Forum on Friday urged the Federal Government and state governors to expedite action on the proposed State Police Bill, saying decentralised policing is critical to tackling rising insecurity and improving intelligence gathering at the grassroots.
The senators made the call while condemning recent terrorist attacks in Adamawa and Sokoto states which, according to the forum, claimed the lives of more than 36 people, including security personnel and worshippers.
In a statement on Friday by the Chairman of the forum, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, the lawmakers called on the Federal Government, governors and state Houses of Assembly to give urgent attention to the State Police Bill currently awaiting ratification.
The call comes amid renewed concerns over insecurity in parts of the North and ongoing discussions over the proposed establishment of state police as part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
The forum said suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked Gaya community in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State on Monday night, August 17, killing eight people, including a police inspector and seven civilians.
Yar’Adua added that the attackers also set two houses ablaze during the incident.
He said, “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.”
The senators also condemned the attack on worshippers in Ungushi village, Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State, on Friday, August 15.
According to the forum, suspected members of Lakurawa, a group reportedly linked to extremist networks in Mali and Niger, attacked worshippers during Friday prayers, killing about 30 people.
The attack reportedly occurred after four soldiers were killed in the area earlier the same day.
Yar’Adua also expressed condolences to the families of the victims, as well as the governments and people of Adamawa and Sokoto states.
