The Northern Senators Forum has called for urgent action on the State Police Bill following recent terrorist attacks in Adamawa and Sokoto States that claimed more than 36 lives.
The senators representing the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory urged the Federal Government, state governors and Houses of Assembly to expedite action on the bill, which is awaiting ratification.
The call was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the forum, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, representing Katsina Central.
The forum said decentralised policing would improve security response and intelligence gathering at the grassroots, particularly in communities vulnerable to attacks.
The senators also called on state and local governments to strengthen community vigilante groups to complement the efforts of the police and military through intelligence gathering.
The forum condemned the attacks on Gaya community in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State and Ungushi village in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
According to the senators, suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked Gaya community on Monday, August 17, killing eight people, including a police inspector and seven civilians, while two houses were also set ablaze.
In Sokoto State, the forum said suspected Lakurawa militants attacked worshippers during Friday prayers at Ungushi village on August 15, killing about 30 people. It added that four soldiers were killed in the area earlier the same day.
The senators described the attacks as further evidence of the need to strengthen security architecture at the grassroots and ensure faster response to emerging threats.
They urged the relevant authorities to give “prompt attention” to the State Police Bill and other measures aimed at improving security across the country.
The Northern Senators Forum commiserated with the families of the victims as well as the governments and people of Adamawa and Sokoto States, while calling for stronger coordination among security agencies and community stakeholders.
