The Northern Senators Forum (NSF) has renewed its urgent appeal for the establishment of state police in Nigeria, following coordinated terrorist attacks in Adamawa and Sokoto states that left over 36 people dead, including security personnel and worshippers.

In an official statement released by NSF Chairman Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar'Adua (APC, Katsina Central), the lawmakers described the continuous loss of innocent lives as unbearable and unacceptable.

Key Details of the Call to Action

• Legislative Push: The forum urged the Federal Government, state governors, and state houses of assembly to expedite concurrence on the State Police Bill, which is currently before the Presidential Working Group led by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila.

• Decentralized Security: Senators emphasized that a centralized policing structure is heavily overstretched and incapable of swiftly addressing localized rural threats, arguing that decentralized policing is vital for improving grassroots intelligence gathering and response times.

• Recent Tragedies: The forum strongly condemned the violent assaults in the Gaya community (Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State) and Ungushi village (Kebbe Local Government Area, Sokoto State).

• Community Support: Alongside institutional reforms, the senators encouraged state and local governments to strengthen community vigilante groups to act as key intelligence partners for formal security forces.

The Path Forward for Reform

The State Police Bill forms a critical component of the ongoing constitutional amendment process. For the legislation to take full effect, it requires formal approval from at least 24 of Nigeria's 36 state houses of assembly.

Concluding their address, the northern lawmakers stressed that any further delay in reforming the nation's security architecture would be a profound disservice to citizens, urging all stakeholders to act decisively to safeguard vulnerable communities.