The Nigerian government has announced that the Federal Capital Territory will not have its own separate police force under the newly passed State Police Bill, which is still awaiting ratification by at least 24 state houses of assembly.
In a recent statement by the State House, the Tinubu government said the FCT would remain under the jurisdiction of the Nigeria Police Force, which would be renamed the Federal Police Service once the proposal receives full approval.
The government, however, said that the FCT minister would be empowered under the bill to provide logistical support to the soon-to-be federal police.
“The Federal Capital Territory falls under the territorial jurisdiction of the Federal Police; the FCT is not given a State Police of its own. The minister will only have power to provide logistical support when the bill is eventually passed into law,” the Tinubu government stated.
The National Assembly passed the State Police Bill last month as part of a major policing overhaul to tackle the growing security problem in the country, but the proposal would only become law when at least 24 states ratify the legislation.
Under the bill, all the 36 states of the federation are required to each set up their own State Police Service, which will be overseen by governors. A 24-month transition period has been pegged to complete the process.