By Daniel Aondoaseer Zendesha 

The inauguration of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has renewed discussions about what state police could mean for Benue State. If the constitutional amendment process is completed and the proposed law is enacted, Benue could gain greater authority to strengthen local policing and respond more effectively to persistent security challenges. 

The Federal Government has taken another step toward establishing state police with the inauguration of a Presidential Working Group tasked with drafting the National Policing Bill. The proposed legislation will provide the legal framework for implementing a dual policing system comprising the Federal Police Service and 36 State Police Services once the constitutional amendment process is concluded. 

For Benue State, the development could mark a significant shift in the fight against insecurity. The state has experienced repeated attacks on rural communities, farmer-herder conflicts, kidnappings and the displacement of thousands of residents in recent years.

If the reform is eventually implemented, a Benue State Police Service could enable quicker responses to security threats, improve intelligence gathering through officers familiar with local communities and languages, and strengthen policing in vulnerable local government areas such as Guma, Logo, Ukum, Kwande, Katsina-Ala and Agatu.

The proposed National Policing Bill is expected to include provisions on minimum policing standards, federal-state coordination, accountability mechanisms, funding requirements and human rights safeguards to prevent abuse of state police powers. 

However, establishing a state police service would also require significant financial commitment from the Benue State Government for recruitment, training, salaries, equipment, vehicles and operational infrastructure.

While many stakeholders believe state policing could improve security, legal experts, including the Nigerian Bar Association, have stressed the need for strong safeguards to ensure accountability and prevent political interference.

The constitutional amendment process is still ongoing, meaning state police have not yet been established. Benue residents and other Nigerians will be watching closely as the proposed legislation advances through the remaining legal and constitutional stages.