The Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, has expressed support for the proposed State Police Service, citing its potential to create employment opportunities for youths and strengthen security at the grassroots. Dangyatin made this statement after the Assembly endorsed the State Police Bill, which aims to address insecurity in the country. He dismissed concerns that governors could use the proposed security outfit to intimidate political opponents.
According to Dangyatin, the existing policing structure in Nigeria is overstretched and requires additional support to tackle the country’s security challenges effectively. He stated that state police would enable governments to recruit personnel familiar with the security challenges, terrain, and social dynamics of their communities, thereby improving intelligence gathering and responses to threats. This, he believes, will help address the country’s insecurity.
The proposed State Police Service will create employment opportunities for qualified youths, particularly indigenes with knowledge of the security situation in their localities. Dangyatin noted that most teeming youths who are indigenes of the state will have the opportunity to be employed, contributing meaningfully to maintaining peace and protecting lives and property. The proposed State Police Service Commission will provide an institutional framework for the recruitment and administration of personnel.
The Jigawa State House of Assembly endorsed the State Police Bill after examining the proposed constitutional amendment and consultations with stakeholders, including traditional rulers, civil society organisations, and professional bodies. The National Assembly transmitted the Constitution Amendment Bill to the 36 state Houses of Assembly on September 23, 2026, for concurrence in line with constitutional requirements. A special ad hoc committee was constituted to study the proposed amendments and engage relevant stakeholders before the House reached its decision.
Dangyatin maintained that the consultations underscored the need for a decentralised policing arrangement that would complement the Nigeria Police Force. He dismissed suggestions that the Assembly delayed consideration of the bill, explaining that the legislature was on recess when the proposal was transmitted. The passage was initially scheduled for the previous week but was affected by Dangyatin's engagement as a director in the presidential campaign council.
The Speaker, who is also the National Vice-Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), expressed confidence that state police would strengthen security operations, improve responses to local threats, and provide qualified youths with opportunities to contribute to peace and stability in their communities. He argued that fears of possible political interference should not overshadow the potential benefits of the proposed arrangement.
Dangyatin added that transparency and the protection of the public interest would be essential to ensuring that the proposed system served its intended purpose. He expressed pride in presiding over the session that passed the State Police Bill, saying it is a matter of history that during his tenure as Speaker, he chaired the session in which they voted for state police.
Key points
- The proposed State Police Service aims to create employment opportunities for youths and strengthen security at the grassroots.
- The existing policing structure in Nigeria is overstretched and requires additional support to tackle the country’s security challenges effectively.
- The proposed State Police Service Commission will provide an institutional framework for the recruitment and administration of personnel.
