Nigeria Moves Closer to State Police After Senate Approval

                                                 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has transmitted a constitutional amendment bill to the Senate seeking the establishment of state police, a major step in Nigeria's ongoing debate over policing reforms and federalism.

The proposed legislation, titled "Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) State Police Bill, 2026," contains 26 clauses aimed at creating additional policing structures to improve the protection of lives and property across the country.

The bill has already been passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. However, for it to become law, it must still receive approval from at least 24 state Houses of Assembly as required for constitutional amendments.

If enacted, state police would be established, funded, and managed by state governments while operating alongside the Nigeria Police Force. The proposed arrangement is expected to help states respond more effectively to challenges such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime, and farmer-herder conflicts.

Supporters of the bill, including many governors, security experts, and civil society groups, argue that decentralised policing would improve intelligence gathering, strengthen collaboration with local communities and traditional rulers, and allow faster responses to security threats, especially in rural areas.

However, critics have warned that state police could be abused by political leaders to intimidate opponents and suppress dissent. Concerns have also been raised about whether financially weaker states would be able to sustain their own police forces.

Key Provisions of the Bill

• State police and federal police would operate side by side.

• Governors would appoint state police commissioners, subject to confirmation by state assemblies and advice from the National Police Council.

• Removal of a commissioner would require approval by a two-thirds majority of the state assembly.

• The National Police Council may challenge unlawful directives issued by a governor.

• Federal police would only intervene in state police operations under limited circumstances such as national security threats or electoral intimidation, with presidential approval and Senate oversight.

• The bill includes provisions aimed at preventing the use of state police against political opponents.

• The Federal Government may provide grants to state police, subject to approval by the National Assembly.

• A State Police Service Commission would be established to oversee recruitment, discipline, and administration.