IBY
Peterside Rejoice Eneky
The Nigerian Senate has passed a bill aimed at providing a legal framework for the establishment of Police Force Training Institutions across the country.
The Bill, which was sponsored by Senator Abdulhamid Mallam Ahmed Madori (APC, Jigawa North), passed its third reading after first being introduced on September 26, 2024, and subsequently passing the second reading on October 2, 2024.
In presenting the Bill’s progress, Senator Madori, who chairs the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, highlighted that it had undergone thorough deliberations during a public hearing. He emphasized that the proposed institutions would offer comprehensive, specialized training in various areas relevant to policing and law enforcement.
Key objectives of the Bill include:
- Training and retraining officers and other law enforcement personnel to meet global standards.
- Advancing education, research, and professional development in policing and security.
- Fostering leadership, moral values, and patriotism among officers.
- Aligning training with both national and global security needs.
- Awarding certificates, scholarships, and recognitions for excellence.
- Collaborating with national and international bodies to enhance capacity.
- Providing specialized training for security agencies, the private sector, and professional detectives.
- Managing resources, facilities, and partnerships to sustain world-class standards.
Madori also noted that the public hearing, held on October 30, attracted significant attention from the public and key stakeholders, including Deputy Inspector General of Police Frank Mbah, who represented the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Mbah expressed strong support for the Bill, describing it as a timely and crucial intervention to rejuvenate Nigeria’s Police Training Institutions, many of which have become outdated and lack proper legal backing, funding, and maintenance.
Senator Madori highlighted the critical issues the Bill addresses, particularly the outdated condition of existing police training institutions, some of which are over 50 years old and are in dire need of legal and financial support.
These challenges have hindered the effectiveness and professional development of police officers.
“The establishment of these training institutions will significantly enhance the capacity of our officers, making them better equipped, resourced, and motivated to fulfill their constitutional responsibilities,” Madori explained.
Following his presentation, the Senate proceeded with a clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill in the Committee of the Whole before passing it for the third reading.
Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, commended Senator Madori and his committee for their hard work on the Bill.
The approved legislation paves the way for the creation of the following institutions across Nigeria:
- Police School of Intelligence, Ilorin, Kwara State
- Mounted Troop, Jos, Plateau State
- Mobile Training School, Gwoza, Borno State
- Mobile Training School, Ila-Oragun, Osun State
- Mobile Training School, Ende-Hill, Nasarawa State
- K9 Training School, Bukuru-Jos, Plateau State
- School of Counter-Terrorism, Nonwa-Tai-Port Harcourt, Rivers State
- Technical Operations Training School, Gombe, Gombe State
- School of Communication, Kaduna, Kaduna State
- School of Communication, Ikeja, Lagos State
- School of Music, Ikeja, Lagos State
- Police Driving School, Ikeja, Lagos State
- Central Planning and Training Unit (CPTU), Jos, Plateau State
- Police Institute of Technology, Abeokuta, Ogun State
- Police Public Relations School, Abuja-FCT
- Police School of Communication, Lagos State
- EOD International Training School, Maiduguri, Borno State
- Police Short Service Training Institute, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State
Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi) also supported the Bill, emphasizing the need for highly trained personnel in the police force. He noted that the Bill marks a significant step toward strengthening the police force and ensuring its continued effectiveness.
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