Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has commended the National Assembly for the passage of the State Police Bill, describing it as a landmark legislation that seeks to establish a state policing structure that will operate concurrently with the existing federal police system in Nigeria.
Governor Alia also noted that the passage of the bill was a courageous and timely step, stressing that he has always been a strong advocate of state policing as a necessary measure to strengthen the nation’s security architecture and enhance the protection of lives and property.
The Governor noted that the House of Representatives had passed the law a few weeks ago, saying that the concurrence by the senate few days ago has confirmed genuine intentions of the National Assembly members to address the problem of insecurity in the country.
Alia further emphasised that a state policing system would work more closely with local communities, enabling faster responses to security threats due to a better understanding of local dynamics, cultures, and terrain.
He particularly expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his visionary leadership and commitment to reforming the country’s security architecture.
A statement by Tersoo Kula, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Benue State, stated that Alia noted that the creation of state police has been an issue that has remained a subject of national discourse for many years.
The Governor assured the people of the Benue State that his administration will continue to invest heavily in security and support every reform aimed at guaranteeing peace, safety, and prosperity for the people of Benue State and Nigerians at large.
