Bill To Extend Police IG’s Tenure Scales Second Reading In Senate

A bill proposing a five-year tenure for the Inspector-General of Police has passed for second reading at the Senate on Friday.

The bill is seeking an Act to repeal the Police Act , 2004, Cap. P19, and enact the Nigeria Police Bill, 2019.

The bill which supports community policing seeks to amend the Police Act  to “provide for the framework for the police service and ensure cooperation and partnership between the police and communities in maintaining peace and combating crime; and for related matters.”

The bill was sponsored by Senator Halliru Jika and received the support of some senators when it came up for reading at Thursday’s plenary.

Jika said the amendment is to allow more time for the police boss to effect meaningful changes in the police and improve efficiency in the force.

In his contribution, Senator James Manager highlighted the importance of the bill, saying it has captured everything about community policing.

“It must be very holistic and everything we have been talking about is all in this bill.

“Whatever the military can do, the police force can certainly do. What is lacking is the necessary funding and deployment of equipment,” the lawmaker said.

Senator Bala Na’allah was optimistic that the bill would bring out the required structural changes in the police, adding that the citizens would benefit from such changes.

Na’allah urged his colleagues to fast-tracking the passage of the bill and ensure it was passed into law.

In his remark, Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, referred the bill to the Committee on Police Affairs. He asked the committee to study the bill and report back to the Senate within four weeks.