The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has unanimously passed the State Police Bill transmitted by the National Assembly for concurrence, advancing the proposed constitutional framework for establishing state police across Nigeria.
All 24 lawmakers voted in favour of the bill during plenary at the Assembly Complex on Nkaliki Road, Abakaliki, following deliberations and consultations with constituents.
The proposed legislation seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, to provide for the establishment of state police services while retaining the Nigeria Police Force at the federal level.
The Speaker of the House, Moses Ije Odunwa, who presided over the plenary, said the unanimous decision reflected the Assembly’s commitment to constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening security, improving access to criminal intelligence and protecting lives and property.
Odunwa said the demand for state police had persisted among the people of Ebonyi, noting that the state had formally expressed its support for the proposal during a public hearing organised by the National Assembly on constitutional review.
He said the bill’s passage reflected the desire of residents for a policing system that would be closer to communities and better equipped to respond to local security challenges.
The House Leader and member representing Afikpo North-West Constituency, Kingsley Ikoro, said the establishment of state police would increase security personnel and improve efforts to combat crime at the grassroots.
Other lawmakers, including Victor Chidi Nwoke, representing Abakaliki North Constituency; Oluchukwu Ukie Ezeali, representing Afikpo North-East Constituency; and Chief Whip Nkemka Okoro Onumah, also supported the proposal, stressing the need to bring policing closer to the people.
Following the passage, the Speaker directed the Clerk of the House, Uche Edene, to transmit a formal memorandum communicating the Assembly’s resolution to the National Assembly.