The Kaduna State House of Assembly has approved a proposed constitutional amendment to pave the way for the establishment of state police services in Nigeria.

The bill was transmitted to the state legislature by the National Assembly for concurrence. Its approval was granted during Thursday’s plenary, presided over by Deputy Speaker Henry Dajuma.

Speaking to journalists after the session, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Henry Marah, who represents Jaba State Constituency, said the proposed system would strengthen security and improve responses to criminal activities.

Marah said state police would enhance community security, protect lives and property, and create employment opportunities for young people. He added that the current policing structure limited state governments’ ability to hold police authorities accountable for security failures.

According to the lawmaker, the proposed arrangement would provide a legal framework for community-based policing and improve responses to banditry and other crimes. He said the Assembly would introduce appropriate legislation to regulate the operations and welfare of state police personnel once the initiative takes effect.

On funding, Marah assured residents that the state government would prioritise financing the proposed outfit, even if it required cuts to other projects.

“We are ready to prioritise funding for the state police, even if it means reducing expenditure on other projects,” he said.

He urged residents to support the initiative, expressing hope that improved security would allow farmers to return to their farms and harvest their produce without fear of kidnapping.

In a separate development, Marah said the Assembly was considering an amendment to the Kaduna State Library Board Law to transform public libraries into electronic libraries and information and communication technology centres.

He said the proposed centres would coordinate electronic library services across the state’s 23 local government areas, provide free internet access and help students register for examinations conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and the West African Examinations Council.

Marah said the initiative would reduce the need for students to travel long distances to access these services. He also disclosed that lawmakers were deliberating on a separate bill to establish the Kaduna State Local Government Service Commission.