The Northern Senators Forum has called on the Federal Government and state governments to fast-track the establishment of State Police, saying decentralised policing is now critical to tackling rising security threats.
The senators made the call on Friday while condemning recent terrorist attacks in Adamawa and Sokoto states that reportedly killed more than 36 people, including security personnel and worshippers.
In a statement signed by the forum’s Chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, the senators urges the Presidential Working Group chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, state governors and Houses of Assembly to give urgent attention to the State Police Bill awaiting ratification.
The forum said State Police would improve response time, intelligence gathering and security coordination at the grassroots.
“Decentralised policing is critical to improving response time and intelligence gathering at the grassroots,” the senators said.
They said continued bureaucratic delays in implementing security reforms could expose more communities to attacks.
The senators also condemned the attacks on Gaya community in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State and Ungushi village in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
They commiserated with the families of the victims and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
The forum further urged state and local governments to strengthen community vigilante groups, describing them as important intelligence partners for the police and military in combating terrorism and other security threats.
The senators said urgent security reforms were needed to protect lives and strengthen the capacity of security agencies to respond effectively to threats in vulnerable communities.
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