Akwa Ibom Assembly adopts recommendations to establish state police

The Akwa Ibom House of Assembly has approved the recommendations of its committee on Inter-Governmental, Political and Special Matters to support the proposed establishment of state police in Nigeria.

The approval followed a unanimous vote by the assembly members during the sitting on Wednesday.

Presenting the report, the committee Chairman, Emem Udom, said the committee had examined the provisions of the National Policing Bill, and recommended its approval without amendment.

The Speaker, Udeme Otong said the bill sought to establish a constitutional framework for state police services.

“It also sought to retain the federal police service and its responsibilities for federal policing functions,” he said.

Mr Otong said the proposed framework would promote cooperation between federal and state police services through information sharing and mutual assistance.

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The speaker said that state police would bring policing closer to the people, improve responses to security threats and enhance crime prevention through local intelligence and community engagement.

He further said that establishing state police services would create employment opportunities for the youth.

In another development, the assembly commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Obio Akpa, in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of the state.

The commendation followed a motion by the Deputy Whip, Bernard Idiong, which Eric Akpan supported.