The Senate has passed a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police across Nigeria, marking a significant milestone in the country’s long-running debate over decentralised policing and security reforms.
The proposed amendment is aimed at creating a dual policing structure that would allow states to establish and operate their own police formations alongside the Federal Police, a move supporters believe will strengthen local security responses and improve intelligence gathering across the federation.
The development follows the transmission of the state police amendment bill to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu, who described the proposal as a critical component of efforts to reorganise Nigeria’s security architecture and address growing security challenges nationwide.
Speaking on the proposed reform, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele had argued that state police would improve intelligence gathering and enhance community-based policing.
“Local police officers are better equipped to obtain actionable intelligence from communities because they understand local languages, customs and social structures,” he said during deliberations on the bill.
Supporters of the proposal contend that the current centralised policing system has struggled to effectively respond to the country’s diverse security threats, including insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, communal clashes and oil-related crimes in different regions.
The amendment seeks to establish separate Federal and State Police structures, with states required to enact their own laws before creating police formations. It also provides for national standards and oversight mechanisms intended to regulate recruitment, training and operations.
President Tinubu, while urging lawmakers to support the proposal, stated that the legislation would help create a more responsive security framework capable of addressing evolving threats across the country.
Despite widespread support, the proposal has continued to generate debate among stakeholders.
While advocates view state police as a necessary step toward strengthening security at the grassroots level, critics have expressed concerns that state-controlled police forces could be vulnerable to political interference if adequate safeguards are not put in place.
The passage of the constitutional amendment by the Senate represents a major step in the legislative process. However, for the proposal to take full effect, it must still secure the approval of at least two-thirds of the State Houses of Assembly before it can be transmitted for presidential assent.