A United States Congressman, Riley Moore, has welcomed the Nigerian Senate’s passage of the State Police Bill, describing the move as a significant step toward addressing insecurity and protecting vulnerable communities.

Moore, in a post on his verified X account on Wednesday, said the proposed decentralisation of policing would empower states to better protect their citizens, particularly Christians facing persecution in parts of the country.

The US lawmaker made the remarks shortly after the Senate approved the constitutional amendment bill seeking the establishment of state police alongside the Nigeria Police Force.

According to Moore, the reform aligns with recommendations he has consistently made while investigating attacks against Christians in Nigeria.

“I can’t stress how critical this law that will empower states to protect their own citizens and reduce dependence on decision makers in Abuja is to the effort to defend persecuted Christians and address insecurity,” he wrote.

Moore noted that he had publicly and privately advocated for such a measure, arguing that greater involvement of state governments in policing could strengthen local security responses.

The Senate passed the State Police Bill on Wednesday after a clause-by-clause consideration of the proposed constitutional amendment.

If approved by the House of Representatives and endorsed by the required number of state Houses of Assembly, the bill will pave the way for the establishment of state-controlled police forces across the country.