By Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Plateau State House of Assembly has pledged its support for the ongoing consultations on the proposed implementation of state police, assuring the Plateau State Advisory Committee of its readiness to collaborate when the legislation becomes law.
The assurance came on Thursday when the Plateau State Advisory Committee on State Police, led by retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Habila Joshak, paid a courtesy visit to the Assembly in Jos to seek legislative partnership.
Joshak described the engagement as a demonstration of Plateau State’s commitment to transparency, collaboration and proactive stakeholder consultations in addressing the state’s security challenges.
He said the proposed State Police legislation represents a historic milestone in Nigeria’s democratic and constitutional development, noting that it would strengthen grassroots security, encourage community participation in policing and improve public confidence in security institutions.
According to him, Plateau has become the first state in the federation to formally engage its House of Assembly on preparations for the implementation of state police.
A member of the committee, Prof. Chris Kwaja, explained that the proposed legislation is designed to strengthen security governance by creating a policing structure that is closer to the people and better equipped to respond to local security concerns.
Kwaja stressed the need for strong accountability mechanisms, institutional safeguards, effective oversight and sustainable funding to ensure the success of state police across the country.
He added that collaboration among the legislature, executive, security agencies, traditional institutions and other stakeholders would be vital in developing a framework suited to Plateau State’s peculiar security needs.
Responding, the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Naanlong Daniel, assured the committee of the Assembly’s readiness to support the establishment and implementation of state police once the enabling legislation is transmitted to the state legislature for concurrence.
He said Plateau State has long advocated for state police as a strategic response to recurring security challenges affecting communities across the state.
Daniel noted that evolving security threats have reinforced the need for a more localized, responsive and intelligence-driven policing system capable of addressing state-specific challenges.
He said state police would strengthen grassroots security, improve intelligence gathering, enhance community participation in security management and ensure faster responses to emerging threat.
The Speaker added that the Assembly would work closely with the advisory committee, security experts, traditional institutions, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to develop a legal framework that guarantees professionalism, accountability, transparency and effectiveness.
Daniel also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC-led Federal Government for advancing discussions and legislative processes on state police, describing the initiative as a bold step toward strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture and deepening democratic governance.
He further praised Governor Caleb Mutfwang for establishing the Plateau State Advisory Committee on State Police, expressing confidence that its recommendations would provide a solid foundation for the successful implementation of state police in the state.
