Northern Senators Renew Demand for State Police Amid Rising Insecurity

The Northern Senators Forum has renewed its call for the Federal Government and state governors to accelerate efforts toward establishing state police, arguing that decentralised policing is essential to tackling insecurity and improving intelligence gathering at the grassroots.

The senators made the demand on Friday while condemning recent attacks in Adamawa and Sokoto states that reportedly claimed more than 36 lives, including security personnel and worshippers.

In a statement issued by the forum’s Chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, the lawmakers urged the Federal Government, state governors and Houses of Assembly to give urgent attention to the proposed State Police Bill, which is awaiting ratification.

The renewed call comes amid growing concerns over insecurity across parts of northern Nigeria and continued discussions on reforms aimed at strengthening the country’s security architecture.

According to the forum, suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked Gaya community in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State on Monday night, August 17.

The attack reportedly resulted in the deaths of eight people, including a police inspector and seven civilians.

Yar’Adua said the attackers also set two houses on fire during the incident, further worsening the situation in the community.

The senator stressed that the establishment of state police would help improve security response and intelligence gathering by bringing policing closer to local communities.

He also called on state and local governments to strengthen community vigilante groups, describing them as potential intelligence partners for the police and military.

The Northern Senators Forum argued that continued bureaucratic delays in implementing security reforms could have serious consequences, especially as innocent Nigerians continue to lose their lives to insurgency and other forms of violence.

The lawmakers also condemned the attack on worshippers in Ungushi village, Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State, on Friday, August 15.

The forum said suspected members of Lakurawa, a group reportedly linked to extremist networks operating in Mali and Niger, attacked worshippers during Friday prayers, killing about 30 people.

The attack reportedly occurred on the same day four soldiers were killed in the area.

Yar’Adua expressed sympathy to the families of those killed in both attacks and extended condolences to the governments and people of Adamawa and Sokoto states.

The senators maintained that urgent security reforms, including the introduction of state police, were necessary to improve intelligence gathering, reduce response times and enhance the protection of communities across the country.

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