Members of the Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) have commended the National Assembly for passing the constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish State Police in Nigeria.

According to the group, “We particularly commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for rising to the occasion at a critical time when the nation is grappling with insurgency, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes”.

The Chairman of NCYP, Comrade Isaac Abrak said in a statement on Thursday that as the Chief Security Officer of the nation, “the President has demonstrated leadership by transmitting the Executive Bill, a bold step towards strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.”

Abrak explained, “NCYP believes the proposed establishment of State Police will bring policing closer to the people, improve intelligence gathering, and enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies to respond swiftly to local security threats”, pointing out that “had such a system existed earlier, many security challenges confronting the country today could have been addressed before escalating into the serious threats we now face”.

He added, “we therefore call on the 36 State Houses of Assembly to expedite action on the constitutional amendment to enable its timely ratification and eventual signing into law. Every delay comes at a cost as innocent Nigerians continue to lose their lives and livelihoods to criminal activities”.

Besides, Comrade Abrak further stressed, “we also commend longstanding advocates of State Police, including Senator Uba Sani, Governor of Kaduna State, who sponsored a State Police bill in the 9th National Assembly, former Lagos State Governor and former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, and former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu”, while adding that “their commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security framework deserves recognition and commendation.”

He noted, “NCYP is particularly encouraged that the proposed establishment of State Police is coming at a time when the Federal Government is implementing the Forest Guard initiative. While Forest Guards will help secure Nigeria’s forests and deny criminals safe havens, State Police will strengthen community-based policing and bring security closer to the people.”

” Together, these initiatives will strengthen grassroots security, improve intelligence gathering, and enhance Nigeria’s capacity to combat insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of criminality”, Abrak added.

He added, “while concerns have been raised that some State Governors could abuse State Police for political purposes, NCYP  Chairman stressed that “the Executive Bill contains safeguards designed to prevent such abuse and ensure accountability.”

” Reports indicate that the appointment and operational oversight of State Police are subject to checks by the National Police Council, while provisions also exist for Federal Police intervention in exceptional circumstances where a State Police Service is unable to contain a breakdown of law and order”, the statement noted.

Said Abrak, “these safeguards demonstrate that the proposed State Police system is not intended to place unchecked policing powers in the hands of State Governors. Rather, it seeks to balance grassroots policing with national oversight, professionalism, and accountability. We therefore urge Nigerians to support this important reform while remaining open to future improvements that may further strengthen its effectiveness and integrity.”

“The proposed establishment of State Police represents one of the most important security reforms in Nigeria’s democratic history. NCYP urges all stakeholders to support its successful implementation in the interest of peace, security, and national development” he added.