Security
Senate calls for decentralisation of Nigeria police
The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has called for the de-centralization of the Nigeria Police.
This was part of the recommendations of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Nigeria Security Challenges which was considered and approved in the Senate plenary of Tuesday 5th day of May 2020. It will be recalled that the Senate set up an Ad-hoc Committee on Nigeria Security Challenges on Wednesday 29th January 2020 under the Chairmanship of Sen Yahaya A. Abdullahi, the Senate Leader.
The committee in its report approved by the Senate made wide ranging recommendations which were also approved by the senate, their recommendations include; that the Senate should urge the executive to direct the Ministry of Police Affairs and the Inspector General of Police to “decentralize the police command structure with operational and budgetary powers” vested in the following zonal commands as follows:
a. Kano/Jigawa/Kastina
b. Sokoto/Zamfara/Kebbi
c. Kaduna/ Niger/ FCT
d. Ekiti/Kwara/Kogi
e. Benue/Plateau/Nassarawa
f. Bauchi/Yobe/Borno
g. Adamawa/Taraba/Gombe
h. Lagos/Ogun
i. Oyo/Osun/Ondo
j. Edo/Delta/Bayelsa
k. Rivers/Akwa-Ibom/Cross Rivers
l. Imo/Abia
m. Anambra/Enugu/Ebonyi
The Senate also urged the Federal Government to set up Zonal Security Advisory Committees at each Zonal Commands proposed above to advise on the security challenges facing each zone. The proposed composition of the Zonal Advisory Council should include;
a. Governors in the Zone (to preside on rotational basis);
b. Zonal AIG of Police;
c. State Commissioners of Police in the Zone;
d. State Directors of the Department of State Security Service;
e. Zonal Immigration Officers;
f. Zonal Customs Officers;
g. Representative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps in the Zone;
h. Representative of the Nigeria Correctional Service in the Zone;
i. Chairmen of State Traditional Rulers Council in the Zone
j. Faith-based Leaders in the Zone;
k. Civil Society Representatives in the Zone;
l. Representative of Senators from the Zone;
m. Representative of Members of House of Representatives from the Zone;
n. Representatives of Business Community and Labour in the Zone; and
o. Any Person or persons deemed to be useful and relevant, taking into account the socio-cultural peculiarities of the zone.
Recommendations were also made for the expansion of the State Security Council and constitution of Area Command, Local Government and Ward Level Advisory Councils.
The Senate urged the Federal Government to direct the Ministry of Police affairs and the Inspector General of Police to immediately implement the Community Policing Strategy involving local stakeholders at the grassroots including traditional rulers and local notable personalities with a view to addressing local security challenges.
The Senate also urged the state assemblies to make necessary laws to legalize community policing to be established at the Local Government level and that the State Governors should fund the community policing from grants appropriated to each Local Government.
The Federal Government is also urged to financially support the community policing initiative with an annual grant.
The Senate resolved that the following laws are to be amended immediately
a. The Armed Forces Act CAP A20 LFN 2004;
b. National Security Agencies Act, LFN 2004;
c. Police Act CAP P19, LFN 2004;
d. Immigration Act, CAP P1 LFN 2004;
e. Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (Establishment) Act NO 2, 2003 and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense (Amendment) Act No, 6. 2007;
f. Customs and Excise Management Act CAP C45 LFN 2004;
g. Nigerian Communications Commission Act CAP N94 LFN, 2004;
h. The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act, No 23, 2007; and
i. Review of the Evidence Act in the Judicial Administration.
The Senate also considered two Motions, one is on the status of the 5G network in Nigeria which was sponsored by Senator Ekwunife Uche Lilian, while the second Motion is on allegation of financial recklessness in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) sponsored by Senator Sekibo George Thompson.
On the motion on 5G network, the Senate’s resolution is that relevant committees of the Senate should conduct a thorough investigation to determine the status of 5G network in Nigeria and its technological impact on Nigeria citizens.
On the motion on the NDDC, the Senate set up an ad-hoc committee under the Chairmanship of Senator Olubunmi Adetumbi to carry out an holistic investigation of all issues relating to but not limited to the alleged misapplication and misappropriation of the sum of N40 billion by the Commission, as well as all procurements and financial transaction of the Commission in this fiscal year (2020) and any other matter that is not in accordance with the provision of the NDDC Establishment Act 2000 or any other extant law.
A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Quarantine Act and Enact the National Health Emergency 2020, to Make Provisions for Regulating and Preventing the Introduction into and spread in Nigeria of Dangerous Infectious Diseases and for other related matters, passed the first reading at today’s sitting of the Senate.
As public outrage continue to trail the killing of travelers in Uromi, Edo State on Thursday 27th March, 2025, the Nigerian Police authorities in the State has announced the arrest of 14 suspects in connection with the killing.
The victims said, to be hunters were travelling to the Northern part of the country when mob swooped and killed them on suspicion that they are Fulani kidnapper.
The Police said, they are 16 powers and all of them were killed.
The Spokesman for the Police Command, Moses Yamu said some persons have been arrested in connection with the attack.
“In the course of investigations, fourteen (14) suspects have been arrested in connection with the crime, while an emergency meeting was convened with stakeholders and members of the community to address the situation,” Yamu said in a statement on Friday.
Narrating how the incident happened, the Edo Police Command said it occurred when a “truck with registration number KKF 225 XA coming from Port Harcourt, conveying 25 travellers from Elele, a suburb of Rivers State, was accosted by some vigilante group members at Uromi, and some of the travelers who found in possession of locally made dane guns were arrested”.
“While this was ongoing, some vigilante members raised an alarm of them being suspected kidnappers, which led some members and passersby in the community to attack and lynch sixteen (16) of the occupants while the truck conveying them was equally burnt.
“Police operatives attached to the Uromi Division got wind of the incident and swiftly stormed the scene where ten (10) of the travelers were rescued, two of whom sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to a hospital where they are currently positively responding to treatment.”
Yamu said a unit of Police Mobile Force personnel with other command tactical teams had been deployed to the area to forestall a breakdown of law and order.
The police said “investigations continue” over the incident and cautioned “against any form of reprisal attacks”.
The new Commissioner of Police in Niger State, CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman has sent a strong warning to criminals operating in the State and vowed that his tenure as a Police boss would change the tide for them or else they should relocate elsewhere.
He sent this warning after he assumed office upon his posting to the State, insisting that criminal elements should stay clear of the State or be ready to incur the full weight of the command.
He said the command under his watch will engage a high level of professional standards in effectively policing the state calling on well meaning individual and critical stakeholders to partner with him in ensuring crime free Niger State.
According to the CP, he is already aware of the activities of youth restiveness and other criminal activities in Minna the state capital assuring that he will make the state unbearable for them.
Speaking through the Command Public Relation Officer (PPRO), while Fielding Question from Journalists at the Police headquarters in Minna Friday, Wasiu Abiodun,SP insisted that the command will not fold its hands to watch some disgruntled elements engaging in an act that will breach the security of the people.
He underscores his command preparedness to ensure the maintenance of law and order in policing the command through community related policing appealing to officers and men of the command to leave above board in making Niger State unsafe for criminal minded elements.
In his words,” as you know, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman just took over the mantle of the command on Thursday the 27th, of March 2025.
“He addressed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and other sectional heads of the Command. He assured them of building on the legacy of his Predecessor CP Ebenezer Shawulu Danmaman.
“He also requested that they should extend their hands of fellowship to him for him to succeed in chasing and curtail the activities of these miscreants to the barest level in Minna the capital of Niger State.”
Speaking on the Command’s preparedness to ensure crime free eid ul-Fitr celebration, CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman disclosed that the command will deploy enough personnel to all praying grounds across the state. This according to him is to ensure the safety of worshipers.
He warned parents and guardians in the state to monitor the activities of their wards and children to guard against any act that will bring them to face the wrath of the law.
While appreciating men and officers of the Command for their professional resilience in the maintenance of law and order, CP Abdullahi Elleman warned that he has zero tolerance for any act of unprofessional conducts that will bring the Command to ridicule.
In a bid to strengthen security of lives and property and to foster peaceful coexistence in Ijumu Local Government Area, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command CP Miller G. Dantawaye, convened a high-level meeting with key stakeholders, within the Local Government, to address pressing security concerns and enhance community Policing efforts.
In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ovye Aya, made available to CAPITAL POST on Tuesday, said, the meeting was attended by prominent dignitaries, including the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara, Rtd, the representative of the Department of State Services (DSS); the member, representing Ijumu, at the State House of Assembly, the Honourable Commissioner for Special Duties, the Chairman of the Local Government, the Olujumu of Ijumu, as well as members of Miyetti Allah.
In his address, the CP emphasized the importance of collaboration in tackling insecurity. He called for intelligence-sharing between residents and Security Agencies, stressing that law enforcement alone cannot ensure safety without community support. He called for the effective collaboration between the Police and their host community.
He further assured of involving immigration agencies to monitor and regulate movement as well as Proper documentation that will enhance accountability and reduce security threats within the Local Government.
The meeting also addressed land ownership rights, the role of traditional institutions, and the need for structured conflict resolution. The CP urged all parties to respect existing leadership structures and seek peaceful resolutions through dialogue.
Reaffirming the Police unwavering commitment to professionalism and human rights, the CP warned against lawlessness, stating that Security Agencies are fully prepared to take action against any individual or group threatening the peace in the area. He urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities promptly.
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