A United States Congressman, Riley Moore, has applauded Nigerian President Bola Tinubu for championing the State Police Bill recently approved by the Nigerian lawmakers.
Reacting to the approval of the bill on Wednesday, Moore welcomed the development, saying, “I’m encouraged to see Nigeria’s Senate approve legislation to establish state-level police forces.
“I can’t stress how critical this law is.
“It will empower states to protect their citizens and reduce dependence on decision makers in Abuja.”
He said that he had advocated the reform publicly and privately since investigating alleged attacks against Christians in Nigeria.
According to him, decentralised policing will strengthen efforts to combat insecurity and protect vulnerable communities.
“President Tinubu deserves credit for pushing it forward,” he added.
Moore described the legislation as a significant step towards addressing insecurity and strengthening local security responses across Nigeria.
It will be recalled that the U.S. lawmaker was a leading voice in the U.S. Congress on Nigeria’s security challenges and religious freedom concerns.
He has repeatedly urged the U.S. government to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and the designation is provided under the U.S. International Religious Freedom Act for countries accused of severe religious freedom violations.
According to local media reports, the congressman has also engaged U.S. policymakers and international stakeholders on violence allegedly affecting Christian communities and other vulnerable groups in Nigeria.
The approved constitutional amendment bill is part of the efforts to reform Nigeria’s policing structure and it will allow states to establish police services alongside the existing federal police force.
The amendment will now proceed to the state legislatures where it is expected to be ratified by two-thirds in line with constitutional requirements.
GIK/APA