Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas,Tajudeen, has called for decisive legislative action toward establishing a multi-level policing system in Nigeria, describing it as a necessary step to address the country’s security challenges.
He said security reforms have become a national priority and must now move from “theory to decisive action.”
He disclosed this at a public hearing on the Private Intelligence and Investigation Council Bill, 2024, organized by the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, with Ahmed Satomi as Chairman.
The Speaker, who was presented by the member representing Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency, Muktar Shagaya, said creating state police through constitutional amendment remains a viable option deserving serious national consideration.
He also emphasized the need to strengthen community policing as provided in the Police Act 2020 to make it more effective and responsive to local realities.Abbas said the House remains committed to reforms that will enhance public safety and strengthen Nigeria’s overall security architecture.
According to him, the National Assembly’s focus on security-related legislation, including the proposed Private Intelligence and Investigation Council Bill, underscores its determination to provide a legal framework that promotes accountability, professionalism, and collaboration among both public and private security actors.
He reaffirmed that the 10th House of Representatives remains committed to transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness in all legislative engagements.
On his part, Chairman of the Committee, Ahmed Satomi said the proposed bill would establish a legal framework to oversee private security operators, improve accountability, and promote closer cooperation with public agencies.
Satomi who is also the sponsor of the bill, said it would help professionalise the private intelligence industry and address gaps in coordination that have long undermined Nigeria’s security architecture.
He noted that the initiative comes at a time when Nigeria is confronted with a web of security challenges ranging from insurgency and banditry to cybercrime and kidnapping, stressing that innovative approaches are required to strengthen the country’s security infrastructure.
Citing recent data, Satomi said the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported over 51.89 million household crime incidents between May 2023 and April 2024, with kidnapping alone accounting for 2.23 million incidents and ₦2.23 trillion paid in ransoms during the same period.
“These figures,” he said, “underscore the magnitude of the security threats confronting our nation and the need for all stakeholders, governmental and private, to work collaboratively. Security, as it is often said, is everyone’s business.”
The lawmaker emphasized that while the efforts of Nigeria’s security agencies are commendable, the evolving nature of threats demands additional layers of support, regulation, and intelligence coordination. He said the bill aligns with the National Assembly’s legislative efforts to address security concerns through proactive, intelligence-driven reforms.
