Abia denies report its assembly has not passed state police bill
- Abia's government says its House of Assembly has already passed the State Police Bill.
- It called reports suggesting otherwise inaccurate and misleading, urging residents to trust official channels.
- The National Assembly has passed the bill and sent it to state assemblies, with 30 states said to have approved.
The Abia State Government has pushed back at reports that its House of Assembly is yet to pass the State Police Bill, saying the legislation has already cleared the legislature.
In a statement on Thursday, the governor's Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, said the reports going round were wrong and could mislead the public. He asked residents and journalists to check with official government channels before repeating such claims.
The government said the assembly's approval fits into the wider constitutional reform effort to bring policing closer to communities and improve safety of lives and property. It added that the step shows Abia is ready for state policing, a plan it linked to President Bola Tinubu's administration.
Why it matters to ordinary Nigerians
State police is one of the biggest changes being considered to Nigeria's security arrangement. Supporters say officers recruited and controlled locally would respond faster to kidnapping, banditry and communal clashes. Critics worry about governors using such a force against opponents, and about funding and training.
The proposal has cleared the National Assembly and gone to the 36 state Houses of Assembly. At least 24 of them must approve it for the constitutional change to take effect.
On Wednesday, Senate Leader Odi Okojie? No — Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said 30 state assemblies had approved the bill, according to Channels Television. The Senate gave the remaining six states until November 15 to send in their decisions.
Abia's government said it would keep working with the Federal Government and other states to make the plan work. It also urged the media to confirm facts before publishing.
What happens next
All eyes are on the six states yet to report back before the November 15 deadline. If the required number is met, the state police framework moves closer to becoming law, and states will then face the practical work of setting up and funding their own forces.
