Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, says Nigeria can no longer afford to delay the creation of state police if it wants to effectively tackle rising insecurity.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja after returning from Geneva, Switzerland—where he attended the 55th WTO-IPU Parliamentary Conference—Kalu described Nigeria’s centralized policing system as inadequate and outdated compared to global best practices.
According to him, worsening cases of banditry, violent crimes, and communal clashes require a policing model that brings law enforcement closer to the people.
“The only way we can achieve faster response times is by unbundling the current centralized structure,” Kalu explained. “If we establish state police alongside the federal police, we can address security challenges more effectively while tailoring policing to local realities.”
Kalu acknowledged concerns that state police could be hijacked by politicians but insisted the greater good of protecting lives and property outweighs such fears. He said Nigerians would have an opportunity to shape the proposal during a national public hearing scheduled for Monday.
The Deputy Speaker also commended Nigerians for their resilience in supporting President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy, stressing that bold steps are necessary for long-term growth. He further praised state governments for diversifying the economy and creating jobs.
Kalu urged citizens, both at home and in the diaspora, to remain patient, engaged, and supportive of reforms while actively contributing to policy debates such as the state police bill.
Beyond security, the lawmaker highlighted Nigeria’s role in shaping global digital trade discussions during the Geneva conference. He revealed that Nigeria was one of eight countries represented on the WTO/IPU steering committee exploring how to make digital trade an engine of inclusive growth.
He argued that the success of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) depends on embedding digital trade at its core.
“Digital trade is boosting global economic growth by about 25 percent,” Kalu said. “Africa must plug into this space. We are proposing a legislative tracking tool to help countries measure their progress and ensure effective implementation.”
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