Under the recently passed State Police Bill by the National Assembly, the federal government has made it clear that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will not have its own police force.
The State House released a statement with the clarification.
The government claims that the Nigeria Police Force, which will be renamed the Federal Police Service if the bill is approved, will continue to have control over the Federal Capital Territory.
The administration, however, stated the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory would be empowered to give logistical support to the federal police under the proposed law.
The Federal Police have territorial control over the Federal Capital Territory; the FCT does not have its own State Police. According to Peoples Gazette, the statement stated, “The minister will only have the authority to provide logistical support when the bill is eventually passed into law.”
The State Police Bill was separately passed by both chambers of the National Assembly, according to Naija News, as part of initiatives to improve the nation’s policing system and deal with growing insecurity.
However, the bill must be approved by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly before it becomes law.
The proposed legislation mandates that each of the 36 states create a State Police Service, overseen by the governor of each state.
Additionally, the measure calls for a 24-month transition period for the federation’s state police services to be established and operationalized.
