Anambra Assembly Passes State Police Bill

Anambra State’s House of Assembly passed a bill in three readings to amend Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution and enable the creation of state police services. The executive bill from the Presidency would keep the Nigeria Police Force as the default until a state service is lawfully established and certified operational, while setting safeguards for civilian oversight, human rights and national standards. Assembly Speaker Somtochukwu Udeze directed the Clerk to transmit the resolution to the National Assembly. Majority Leader Ikenna Ofodeme backed the proposal, saying it could speed responses to insecurity, create jobs and reduce the military’s role in internal security.