Onyekachi Nwebonyi, deputy chief whip of the Senate, says the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) will be renamed the Federal Police Service when the proposed state police system takes effect.
Nwebonyi spoke during an interview on Arise Television on Thursday.
His comments came a day after the Senate passed a constitutional amendment bill to establish state police.
Explains new policing structure
Nwebonyi said the Federal Police Service will handle offences created under federal laws.
According to him, state police will enforce laws enacted by state houses of assembly.
“The Federal Police Service is no more the Nigeria Police Force,” he said.
“It will now be called the Federal Police Service.”
Federal police to handle national crimes
Furthermore, Nwebonyi said the Federal Police Service will retain responsibility for national security matters.
He listed border security, interstate crimes and offences created by the national assembly among its core duties.
He also said the federal police will provide security during elections.
“When it comes to elections, of course, it is a federal exercise,” he said.
“The Federal Police Service will handle it.”
State police to tackle local crimes
Meanwhile, Nwebonyi said state police will focus on crimes within their jurisdictions.
He listed kidnapping, banditry and other offences under state laws as areas of responsibility.
“The State Police is going to tackle those crimes headlong,” he said.
‘Law is for Nigerians’
In addition, Nwebonyi said the proposed legislation was not designed to favour the current administration.
He said lawmakers considered future governments while drafting the bill.
“We are not making this law for a particular individual or to favour the government of the day,” he said.
“We are making law for Nigerians.”
