The House of Representatives on Thursday directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Audi, to enforce strict compliance with rules requiring all officers on checkpoints, patrols, and stop-and-search operations to appear in full approved uniforms with visible name tags, ranks, and identification numbers.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Ibe Osonwa, who raised concerns over the proliferation of ununiformed security personnel in the South-East and South-South regions, describing it as a national security risk that undermines public trust and accountability.
Osonwa noted that many police and NSCDC officers now man checkpoints in casual attire without proper identification, creating confusion for citizens and enabling extortion, harassment, and abuse of power. He warned that the situation could worsen during the festive season due to increased inter-state travel.
Adopting the motion, the House mandated its Committees on Police Affairs and Interior to summon the IGP, the NSCDC Commandant-General, and other relevant agencies to explain the continued non-compliance, secure a timeline for full implementation, and conduct oversight visits to affected regions, with a report expected within six weeks.
In a separate legislative initiative, the House Committee on Banking Regulations commenced moves to strengthen Nigeria’s financial system by expanding access to funding for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and protecting bank customers from fraudulent activities.
At a public hearing on two key bills — the Factoring and Receivables Financing Bill (HB. 516) and the Bill to Amend the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 (HB. 1160) — the Chairman of the Committee, Bello El-Rufai, said the legislations aim to promote liquidity, enhance accountability in the banking sector, and foster a transparent, consumer-friendly financial ecosystem.
Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, who spoke at the session through his Special Adviser, Fabian Okoye, described the Factoring Bill as a transformative tool capable of boosting liquidity for businesses that deliver goods and services on credit. He emphasized the need for regulatory oversight to protect SMEs from predatory practices and ensure alignment with existing laws, including the Secured Transactions in Movable Assets Act, CAMA, and relevant Central Bank regulations.
Sani further praised the leadership of House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and the efforts of the committee in strengthening financial regulation, noting that once passed, the bills will expand access to finance, foster innovation, reduce the cost of credit, and promote sustainable economic growth.
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