State Police Breakthrough: Senate Opens New Security Era, 24 States Hold Key to Historic Reform
Nigeria moves closer to establishing state police as the Senate passes a constitutional amendment bill, transferring the final decision to state Houses of Assembly where 24 states must endorse the reform.
Senate Passes State Police Bill, Pushes Nigeria’s Security Reform Battle to 24 States
Nigeria’s quest for a new security architecture received a major boost on Wednesday as the Senate passed the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking the establishment of state police services, marking a significant step toward decentralising policing in the country.
The passage of the bill moves the historic reform process to the 36 state Houses of Assembly, where constitutional requirements demand that at least 24 states must approve the amendment before it becomes part of Nigeria’s legal framework.
The proposed legislation seeks to introduce state-controlled police services to operate alongside the Nigeria Police Force, creating a dual policing structure aimed at improving security response at the grassroots level.
The Senate approved the bill after it secured the required two-thirds majority during a manual voting process adopted following technical challenges with electronic voting systems in the chamber.
The development represents a major milestone in a long-running national conversation over the need for a decentralised security system amid increasing concerns over terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, communal clashes, and other criminal activities affecting communities across Nigeria.
Under the proposed framework, state governments would have the authority to establish police services, while governors would be empowered to appoint state Commissioners of Police subject to confirmation by state Houses of Assembly.
However, the Nigeria Police Force would retain responsibility for federal security matters, including terrorism, cybercrime, organised crime, border protection, arms trafficking, and other offences requiring nationwide coordination.
Presenting the report of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Deputy Senate President and Committee Chairman, Senator Barau Jibrin, guided lawmakers through the final deliberations that led to the approval of the bill.
Speaking during debate, Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, described the proposed state police structure as a balanced approach designed to improve community security while preserving national stability.
He explained that state police formations would focus on enforcing state laws, maintaining public order, preventing crime, and protecting residents within their jurisdictions.
Bamidele added that federal intervention in state policing would only occur under exceptional circumstances, including major security breakdowns, failure of state police structures, serious human rights violations, electoral violence, or threats to national security.
Such intervention, he noted, would require proper authorisation and remain subject to legislative and judicial oversight.
To address concerns over possible abuse by state authorities, lawmakers introduced safeguards preventing state police institutions from being used as tools of political intimidation.
The proposed amendment prohibits state police officers from targeting individuals, political organisations, or groups solely because of criticism of government, except where lawful grounds exist.
The bill also provides for national standards on recruitment, training, discipline, firearms control, accountability, and professional conduct to ensure consistency across state police formations.
Supporters of state police have argued that officers recruited from local communities would have better understanding of their environment, language, culture, and security challenges, making them more effective in intelligence gathering and crime prevention.
They also maintain that states contributing significant resources to security operations should have a stronger role in protecting their citizens.
Despite the support, critics have continued to raise concerns that governors could misuse state police structures for political advantage if adequate safeguards are not maintained.
Wednesday’s Senate approval nevertheless represents the strongest legislative backing for state police since the debate began several years ago.
During the voting process, senators abandoned electronic voting and adopted a manual roll-call system to ensure every lawmaker participated in the constitutional decision.
Senator Bamidele defended the move, describing it as necessary to guarantee transparency and allow citizens to know how their representatives voted on a matter of national importance.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio also supported the process, stressing the importance of openness during major constitutional decisions.
The session attracted notable political figures, including Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, reflecting the national importance attached to the reform.
Reacting to the development, retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Aare Tunji Alapinni, described state police as a critical step toward strengthening community policing and improving security delivery across Nigeria.
With the Senate completing its constitutional responsibility, attention now shifts to state legislatures, where the next phase of the historic security reform process will be decided.