State Policing Bill Needs Stronger Safeguards Before Assent, CISLAC Cautions
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International (TI) Nigeria has urged lawmakers and the Presidency to strengthen safeguards in the proposed State Policing Bill, warning that the reform could be vulnerable to political interference, corruption and unequal security provision if key gaps are not addressed.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the organisation said while state policing could improve intelligence gathering and community-based security, it would not solve Nigeria’s security challenges without strong legal, financial and institutional reforms.
CISLAC cautioned that, without constitutional guarantees of operational independence, state police formations could be misused by political actors to intimidate opponents, journalists and civil society groups or influence elections.
It also called for transparent, merit-based recruitment, sustainable funding, independent oversight, human rights safeguards and effective coordination with federal security agencies.
Rafsanjani urged the 36 State Houses of Assembly, governors and the Presidency to prioritise public interest as the constitutional amendment progresses, stressing that security reform must strengthen accountability rather than concentrate political power.
The organisation also advocated public hearings, independent audits, protected funding mechanisms and the establishment of a multi-stakeholder transitional committee to oversee the phased implementation of state policing nationwide.
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