Leke Baiyewu, Abuja

The Chairman of the Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Abu Ibrahim, has said the fear of indiscriminate arrest and detention by state governors may kill the passage of the State and Community Police Bill currently being processed by the Senate.

Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, and 75 other senators had sponsored a constitution amendment bill to allow the creation of state and community police.

Ibrahim, who spoke to journalists in Abuja, however, said the bill, which had passed first reading, might not get the required two-thirds majority for its passage at the third reading.

He noted that while lawmakers from some parts of the country might vote for the state police, others might vote against it for fear of abuse.

Ibrahim said, “My fear is the required numbers. The disagreement between the National Assembly members and governors may kill it. This is because I know many senators and House of Representatives members think that if the state governors get state police, they could trample on them, arrest and detain them.

“From my assessment, there is no way it will get two-thirds in the National Assembly. Probably, the bulk of South-West senators would go for it because in the area, there is some control and there is synergy because of the control system.

“I do not want to mention names but there are states that there is no way they will vote for its passage. From the way I see it, nine states out of 37 will not vote for it. But let us see how it goes.”

Speaking on the merit of state and police, the lawmaker stated that it would help in tackling security challenges in the country.

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