The Nigerian Senate has called for further amendment to the constitution to grant leave to states to establish their own police department, so as to stem the rising tide of crime and criminality in the country.

The call was made during plenary on Wednesday, when the lawmakers deliberated on a Motion ‎on the urgent need to look into the killings and arson that took place in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State.

Senator Tijanny Yahaya Shinkafi, representing Zamfara North, who sponsored the motion, told the senate that armed bandits attacked four villages of Shinkafi, killing 23 persons and destroying farm produce worth N385,000.

He raised concerns that the bandits surrounded the villages, blocked all escape routes and burnt down houses and silos, carting away dozens of cows and other domestic items without any intervention from security agencies.

Reacting to the Motion, senator James Manager urged the Senate to reconsider the issue of state police, calling for a convergence of very prominent senators to brainstorm with other stakeholders towards finding solutions to the problem

Other lawmakers who contributed to debate on the Motion, also supported the idea of a round table discussion to look into the situation and the possibility of amending the constitution to accommodate state policing infrastructure in the country.

However, the senate in its resolutions called on FG to evaluate operation Harbin Kunama and come up with a clear policy on the protection of citizens especially those in rural areas.

It also asked NEMA to immediately send relief materials to the affected villages in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara.

The Senate has also decided to send a delegation to condole with the government and people of Zamfara.

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