Ondo State House of Assembly has passed a bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide for the establishment of state police services.
The bill was passed following deliberations by the lawmakers, at a plenary session on Monday in Akure.
Newsmen report that the proposal was conveyed to the assembly in a letter from the National Assembly Clerk, Kamoru Ogunlana, which was read by the Speaker, Olamide Oladiji, on Sept. 24.
The House Leader, Olatunji Oshati, who moved for the passage and its transmission to the national assembly, said the lawmakers had considered the implications of the proposed amendment for the citizenry.
Oshati said that the establishment of state police would address the numerous security challenges confronting the country.
The motion was seconded by Mr Allen Oluwatoyin, All Progressives Congress (APC), member representing Ese-Odo State Constituency.
Also speaking, Oladiji, described the proposed establishment of state police as long overdue, saying it would enable security agencies to respond more swiftly to crime and other security concerns.
He noted that state policing, being grassroots-based, would reduce crime, through improved intelligence gathering and proactive security measures.
“There will be greater confidence in state policing. It will strengthen intelligence gathering and provide grassroots security,” he added.
The speaker, however, commended the lawmakers for their contributions to the bill and its passage.
It was gathered that the bill would be transmitted to the national assembly for further legislative consideration.
