From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has said that a multi-level policing system is crucial to addressing security challenges in the country.
Abbas stated this while declaring open a public hearing organised by the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence on the Private Intelligence and Investigation Council Bill, 2024.
The Speaker, who was represented by the member representing Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency of Kwara State, Muktar Shagaya, stated that security reforms have become a national priority.
He noted that it has become imperative to strengthen community policing as provided in the Police Act 2020 to make it more effective and responsive to local realities.
According to him, “the time has come for the debate on multi-level policing to move from theory to decisive legislative action. Creating state police through constitutional amendment remains a viable option that deserves serious consideration. However, beyond constitutional reform, we must also strengthen community policing to make it more effective and responsive to local realities.”
Abbas explained that the Private Intelligence and Investigation Council Bill is intended to create a regulatory framework for private intelligence and investigation services. He said this is to ensure that they operate ethically, responsibly, and in compliance with professional standards.
The Speaker noted that the council, when established, will ensure enhanced service quality, promote continuous training and capacity development, and encourage stronger cooperation between private and public security institutions.
The Chairman, House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Ahmad Satomi, said the proposed legislation will mark a major step toward strengthening the country’s national security architecture.
Satomi noted that a recent report by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicated that over 51.89 million households experienced crime incidents between May 2023 and April 2024. According to him, the report indicated that kidnapping accounted for 2.23 million incidents, with ₦2.23 trillion paid in ransoms during the period.
“These figures underscore the magnitude of the security threats confronting our nation and the need for all stakeholders, governmental and private, to work collaboratively. Security, as it is often said, is everyone’s business,” he stated.
Therefore, he expressed optimism that the proposed legislation will “mark a significant step towards strengthening our national security framework and ensuring the professionalism of private intelligence and investigation services.”
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