The Lagos State House of Assembly on Wednesday intensified its campaign for the creation of an autonomous state police system, calling on state legislatures nationwide to accelerate the approval of the ongoing constitutional amendment.
The Punch reported that the lawmakers also advanced a bill aimed at banning street begging, street urchins and similar activities across Lagos, describing both initiatives as key measures to strengthen security in the state.
During plenary, Speaker of the House Mudashiru Obasa said decentralised policing remained the most effective response to Nigeria’s worsening security challenges, stressing that any state police framework must guarantee operational and administrative autonomy for states.
“The initiative remains the most practical solution to the security challenges confronting the country, including kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes,” Obasa said.
The Speaker maintained that state governments should have the constitutional authority to recruit, screen and appoint police officers who understand the security dynamics of their respective communities.
According to him, “Any intervention by the Federal Government in the operations of state police should be clearly defined by law and limited strictly to matters that threaten national security.”
Obasa also supported the proposal empowering governors to appoint state commissioners of police, subject to confirmation by state houses of assembly, while insisting that legislative approval should also apply to other senior officers.
“I also believe appointments of Area Commanders, Zonal Commanders and other senior officers should equally be subjected to confirmation by the respective state houses of assembly,” he said.
Addressing fears that governors could abuse state police for political purposes, the Speaker argued that such concerns should not hinder the reform.
“Similar concerns have always existed regarding the Nigeria Police Force under the Federal Government, yet the institution continues to function. We must not allow such fears to weaken a reform whose primary objective is the protection of lives and property,” he said.
Obasa praised President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly and other stakeholders for pushing forward the constitutional amendment, describing the move as a major step towards decentralising policing.
Earlier, Stephen Ogundipe, while presenting the motion, observed that Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution recognises only the Nigeria Police Force but noted that the current constitutional review offers an opportunity to establish state police as part of broader security reforms.
Several lawmakers backed the proposal, recalling that Lagos had consistently championed community policing and constitutional changes to allow states to play a greater role in maintaining internal security.
The Assembly also passed for second reading a bill seeking to prohibit street begging, street urchins and related activities in Lagos.
The proposed legislation, titled A Bill for a Law to Prohibit Street Begging, Street Urchins and Related Vices in Lagos State and for Connected Purposes, received unanimous support during debate.
Lawmakers argued that criminals often exploit street begging as a cover for theft, robbery and other offences, particularly around traffic corridors and public places.
Contributing to the debate, Desmond Elliot urged lawmakers to ensure the bill did not criminalise poverty.
“We must give this legislation a human face. There should be rehabilitation centres where those taken off the streets can receive care, support and opportunities for reform,” he said.
Elliot added that the eventual establishment of state police would strengthen enforcement of the proposed legislation.
Deputy Chief Whip David Setonji said inadequate enforcement had weakened many existing laws and called for the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps to be included among agencies responsible for implementing the measure.
Bonu Solomon also stressed the need for effective implementation, noting that the Assembly had passed several laws in the past that were poorly enforced.
He said the bill should address both child and adult begging while discouraging indiscriminate alms giving, which he argued encourages the practice.
Majority Leader Noheem Adams described the proposal as timely, pointing out that some northern states and the Federal Capital Territory had already adopted similar measures.
Clarifying the intent of the bill, Obasa said it was not aimed at discouraging charity but at regulating how assistance reaches vulnerable persons.
“We are not saying people should not give. What we are saying is that the process should be organised in a way that enhances security and restores order,” he said.
The Speaker warned that some criminals now disguise themselves as beggars, particularly at night and during heavy traffic, posing security threats to motorists and pedestrians.
He also condemned the exploitation of women and children for street begging, describing it as an organised enterprise that profits from vulnerable people.
He said, “Government should establish dedicated institutions where members of the public can channel their donations while those removed from the streets receive rehabilitation, welfare support and opportunities for reintegration.”
Obasa further argued that reducing indiscriminate street giving would help curb organised begging.
“If there is no giver, there will be no beggar,” he said.
While acknowledging concerns over enforcement, the Speaker insisted that the absence of adequate structures should not prevent the Assembly from passing the legislation.
He urged the state government to establish holding and rehabilitation centres across Lagos to facilitate implementation, adding that lawmakers still had room to fine-tune the bill before its final passage.
Following its second reading, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Youth and Social Development, which was directed to submit its report within two weeks.
