The member representing Ogori-Magongo State Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Bode Ogunmola, has backed the proposed Sixth Alteration Bill, 2026, seeking the establishment of state police, stressing the need for strong accountability mechanisms to prevent abuse of power.
Ogunmola stated this in Lokoja while speaking with journalists on the proposed constitutional amendment, noting that decentralising policing would strengthen public safety, improve community-based policing and enhance respect for citizens’ rights.
The lawmaker said state police could improve intelligence gathering and security responses at the grassroots, given the proximity of local security operatives to the communities they serve.
He, however, warned that the initiative must be supported by effective oversight and institutional safeguards to prevent the misuse of police powers.
According to him, policing carries enormous responsibilities, including maintaining public order, investigating crimes and enforcing the law, making checks and balances essential to ensuring that security agencies operate within the ambit of the law.
Ogunmola cautioned that without adequate supervision, state police structures could become instruments of political interests, personal vendettas and other practices capable of undermining justice and public confidence in law enforcement.
He maintained that the success of state police would depend not merely on its establishment but also on the legal and institutional frameworks guiding its operations.
The lawmaker called for merit-based recruitment, strict adherence to lawful operational procedures and credible, independent investigations into allegations of police misconduct.
He urged the Kogi State House of Assembly to give the proposed constitutional amendment favourable consideration while ensuring that the framework for establishing state police and a Police Service Commission prioritises professionalism, institutional independence and accountability.
Ogunmola added that these safeguards would be critical to ensuring that decentralised policing serves the public interest, strengthens security and protects the fundamental rights of citizens across communities.