he Plateau State House of Assembly says it is prepared to support the creation of state police, pledging to give the proposed legislation priority once it is formally brought before lawmakers.
The Speaker of the House, Naanlong Daniel, gave the assurance in Jos on Thursday during an advocacy visit by the Plateau State Advisory Committee on State Police, led by retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Habila Joshak.
Daniel said the Assembly believes state policing would play a key role in addressing the persistent security challenges in Plateau State and other parts of the country.
He noted that lawmakers have consistently supported the proposal, while commending President Bola Tinubu for what he described as efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security framework and drive reforms in the sector.
The Speaker assured the committee of the legislature’s full cooperation, stressing that the Assembly is ready to provide all necessary legal backing to ensure the success of the initiative. He also emphasized that security requires collective effort among all stakeholders.
Earlier, Joshak told lawmakers that Plateau’s long-standing security challenges make the establishment of state police a necessary step toward improving intelligence gathering, strengthening security management, and restoring public confidence in policing.
He said the committee is expected to serve as a reference point for other states as national discussions on state policing continue, adding that state assemblies have a crucial role in providing the legal framework for implementation.
Joshak urged legislators to support the proposal, noting that state police would help address local security concerns and complement existing security agencies.
Also speaking, committee member Chris Kwajah urged the House to expedite action on the bill once presented, describing it as a key opportunity to address insecurity and strengthen the policing system. He added that a state police structure would improve intelligence gathering, enhance response time to threats, and boost community participation in maintaining law and order.
