Northern Senators Press For State Police After Adamawa, Sokoto Attacks

Northern senators have asked federal and state authorities to move faster on the proposed state police bill after fresh attacks in Adamawa and Sokoto states.

The Northern Senators Forum said the bill should get urgent attention from the Federal Government, state governors and state assemblies, arguing that local police structures would help intelligence gathering and faster response at community level.

The forum’s chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua of Katsina Central, made the call in a Friday statement after attacks in Gaya community in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State and Ungushi village in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Both Vanguard and Punch reported that the forum linked the renewed call to attacks that killed more than 36 people, including security personnel and worshippers. The senators said the bill was awaiting ratification and should not be delayed while communities face repeated violence.

The proposal for state police has returned to the centre of security discussions as federal and state officials consider ways to decentralise policing. Supporters say state-level commands could respond faster to local threats, while critics have raised concerns about funding, political control and safeguards against abuse.

The senators said the latest attacks showed why the debate should move from general support to concrete legislative action. They urged governors and state assemblies to work with federal authorities on the bill so that any new policing structure has legal backing and clear accountability rules.

Sources: Vanguard, Punch