Saraki
President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has restated the Senate’s commitment to fast-tracking the passage of the Nigerian Police Reform Bill.
In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on New Media, Olu Onemola, Saraki emphasised that given the security challenges that the nation was facing, the passage of the Bill would help to create a more responsive and efficient Police institution for all Nigerians.
Saraki said; properties of Nigerians remain a fundamental concern for all members of the 8th Senate. As the representatives of Nigerians, all Senators agree that there is a need to make our Police more responsive and effective — in order to meet the demands of our nation’s security challenges.
“This is why, in putting together the updated version of the Police Reform Bill, we have consulted widely — involving serving and former members of the Nigerian Police Force; private sector, members of the civil society; and legal experts. These consultations have been done in a bid to ensure that this Bill is not only comprehensive in its coverage, but also effective in building stronger institutional guidelines for our police,”
Saraki also mentioned that the Police Reform Bill, amends the existing framework between the Police Service Commission and the Police; creates community police fora at the state level — to ensure closer oversight and participatory policing by the public; and Divisional and State Police Boards, which shall be responsible for maintaining partnerships, promoting communication and building cooperation between communities and the police.
