APC chieftain Olatunbosun Oyintiloye has described the Senate’s approval of the state police bill as a landmark step towards building a more effective, responsive and community-based security system in Nigeria.
He said the development fulfils a long-standing campaign for decentralised policing and commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting the reform. According to him, state police, alongside initiatives such as Highway Marshals and Forest Guards, will strengthen intelligence gathering, improve response to security threats, boost community policing and create jobs.
Oyintiloye also advocated the use of modern security technology, including CCTV cameras, drones, digital communication systems and crime databases, to support the new policing structure.
He stressed the importance of involving traditional rulers, community leaders and youth groups in intelligence gathering, noting that security is most effective when driven by local communities.
The APC chieftain further praised Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the National Assembly, governors, traditional rulers and other stakeholders for supporting the reform, while urging that the implementation of state police be guided by professionalism, accountability, respect for human rights and the rule of law.