Nigeria, July 16 -- Speaking on Wednesday at the National Security Roundtable during the 2026 National Assembly Open Week, Abbas acknowledged widespread concerns over the potential abuse of state-controlled police but maintained that the bill was specifically designed to prevent such risks.

"I understand the concern that many people bring to this discussion, and it is a reasonable one. It is the fear that a State Police could become the private army of a governor or a political godfather," Abbas said. "The people who drafted this Bill had the same fear, and they answered it."

According to the Speaker, governors will not have unilateral powers to appoint or remove state Commissioners of Police. Instead, appointments will be based on rec...