The Northern Senators Forum has called for the immediate establishment and operationalisation of State Police, following fresh terrorist attacks in Adamawa and Sokoto States that reportedly claimed more than 36 lives.
In a statement signed by the Forum’s Chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, representing Katsina Central, the senators urged the Federal Government, state governors and State Houses of Assembly to fast-track the process for the implementation of State Police.
The Forum specifically called on the Presidential Working Group, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, to give urgent attention to the State Police Bill currently awaiting ratification.
The senators argued that decentralised policing would improve response time, intelligence gathering and security coordination at the grassroots.
“We cannot continue to lose innocent lives to insurgents while bureaucracy delays critical security reforms. The time to act is now,” the Forum said.
The senators condemned the latest attacks in Gaya community in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State and Ungushi village in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
According to the Forum, the attacks resulted in the deaths of more than 36 Nigerians, including security personnel and innocent worshippers.
The lawmakers commiserated with the families of the victims and prayed for the repose of those killed, while wishing those injured a speedy recovery.
They also urged state and local governments to invest more in and strengthen community vigilante groups, describing them as important intelligence partners for the police and military.
The Northern Senators Forum said the latest attacks further demonstrated the urgent need for security reforms capable of improving intelligence gathering, rapid response and protection of vulnerable communities across the country.
