The Presidential Working Group on the proposed National Policing Bill has invited Nigerians to submit memoranda and policy proposals as part of efforts to establish a comprehensive legal and operational framework for state policing.

Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Working Group, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, announced this on Monday after the Working Group’s meeting at the State House, Abuja.

The Working Group is reviewing the Police Act 2020, the Police Service Commission framework, police regulations, and other relevant laws to support the development of an effective, modern policing system.

The proposed framework will set national minimum standards, define state readiness and grant certification, clarify jurisdictional responsibilities, ensure independent oversight, uphold human rights, and guarantee sustainable funding. It would also spell out an orderly transition to a dual-policing structure.

The call for memoranda will run for two weeks, allowing citizens, professionals, civil society, security agencies, state and local governments, academics, and other stakeholders to contribute. Submissions will be reviewed and integrated into the draft bill, which will then be subject to further national consultation before being finalised and sent to the National Assembly.

The Working Group has adopted a seven-week work programme running from July 27 to September 14, 2026. The draft Executive Bill is scheduled for presentation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on September 3, 2026, with national consultations to follow before the final approval.

The new National Policing Bill will set out requirements for recruitment, training, oversight, funding, and transition arrangements to ensure credible, effective, and accountable policing nationwide.

“A proposed State Police Service must demonstrate that it has credible arrangements for recruitment, vetting, training, pay, pensions, equipment, custody, complaints, discipline, data, firearms control, independent oversight and financial sustainability before it begins policing,” Gbajabiamila said.

The representative of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, who described State Police as a landmark reform, described the initiative as one of the defining reforms of President Tinubu’s administration.

Responding to concerns about federal overreach, he clarified that there is no Federal attempt to control State Police. He added that the proposed legislation is intended to provide an operational framework rather than centralise control.

Prince Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,  said the proposed National Policing Bill is designed to guarantee the security of lives and property while ensuring that the establishment of state police does not become a tool for political persecution.

The Attorney-General added that states not immediately ready to establish their own police services would continue to benefit from the presence of the Federal Police until they meet the required standards.

Other participants at the meeting included the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu; President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe; Chairman, Policy Advisory Committee, Justice Abdullahi Liman (rtd); Professor Olu Ogunsakin, Head, Nigeria Police Reform Secretariat; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Planning and Research, Nnadubem Moghalu; and Brigadier General Olutayo Muyiwa Adesuyi, representing the National Security Adviser.

The High Court Judge abducted in Kebbi State one week ago, Hon. Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza, has regained his freedom.

A family member confirmed the release to our correspondent on Monday, saying the judge arrived home a few hours ago.

According to the family member, relatives are jubilant and full of gratitude to God for the safe return of the abducted judge. He said the family expressed appreciation to all those who stood by them during the ordeal.

As of the time of filing this report, the Kebbi State Judiciary and security agencies had not released an official statement.

Justice Bunza’s abduction last week drew widespread concern across the state, with calls for his immediate and safe release.

……says Smoke Caused by Fire Suppression System

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos following an incident that prompted an earlier advisory.

Preliminary findings show that the smoke observed in the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The cause of the system’s activation is still under investigation.

Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal. Detailed investigations are ongoing to establish the exact cause of the incident.

FAAN thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation, and reaffirmed its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.