Senators from the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, under the Northern Senators Forum, NSF, have called for urgent action on the State Police Bill following recent terrorist attacks in Adamawa and Sokoto States.
The senators urged the federal government, state governors and state Houses of Assembly to give prompt attention to the bill, which is awaiting ratification.
The call was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the forum, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, APC, Katsina Central.
The senators also called on state and local governments to strengthen community vigilante groups to support the police and military with intelligence gathering.
They condemned the recent attacks in Gaya community, Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State, and Ungushi village, Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State, which the forum said claimed more than 36 lives, including security personnel and worshippers.
According to the statement, suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked Gaya community on Monday, August 17, killing eight people, including a police inspector and seven civilians, and setting two houses ablaze.
In Sokoto, the forum said suspected Lakurawa militants attacked worshippers during Friday prayers at Ungushi village on August 15, killing about 30 people. It added that four soldiers were killed in the area earlier the same day.
The senators called for decentralised policing, saying it would improve response time and intelligence gathering at the grassroots.
The forum also commiserated with the families of the victims, the governments and people of Adamawa and Sokoto States.