In a significant move to overhaul Nigeria’s security architecture, the Senate on Wednesday passed a constitutional amendment bill that paves the way for the creation of state police services across the country.
The bill, which sailed through after lawmakers adopted all 26 clauses during the committee of the whole, establishes a constitutional framework for states to operate their own police forces alongside the existing federal police structure.
Proponents say the reform will enhance intelligence gathering, strengthen local security, and enable faster responses to region-specific threats.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele described the legislation as one of the most important constitutional changes since Nigeria’s return to civilian rule in 1999.
“This important Bill is an Executive Bill transmitted by Mr. President… seeking to alter the Constitution to provide for the establishment of State Police Services and other related matters,” Bamidele said.
He noted that the centralised policing system has been overstretched by escalating security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal clashes, farmer-herder conflicts, cybercrime, and organised criminal networks.
Under the proposed arrangement, the federal police will retain responsibility for counter-terrorism, organised crime, cybercrime, border security, arms trafficking, and policing the Federal Capital Territory, among other national duties.
State police services, where established, will focus on enforcing state laws, maintaining public order, preventing and detecting local crimes, and protecting lives and property.
The bill incorporates safeguards aimed at preventing abuse of power. It explicitly prohibits state governors from using the police to target individuals, political parties, or groups for partisan, ethnic, religious, or personal reasons.
The announcement drew support from senators across party lines. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), who previously opposed state police, said worsening insecurity had changed his position.
“I used to be one of those that is against state police… But today, we know that we have very serious insecurity problem that can only be solved by thinking outside the box,” Abaribe said. He cautioned, however, that the eventual Police Act would be more critical than the constitutional amendment itself, particularly regarding operational guidelines and limits on presidential override powers.
Senator Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto South) also backed the bill, citing repeated attacks in his state as evidence of the urgent need for reform. “This is needed. Every effort… to curb this menace of insecurity in Nigeria is needed,” he said, describing the move as a strengthening of Nigeria’s federal structure.
For the amendment to take effect, it requires approval by at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 state houses of assembly, after which it will be transmitted to the President for assent.
The passage marks a major step in a long-running national debate over decentralising policing to better address the country’s complex and evolving security landscape.
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