In a landmark move aimed at tackling Nigeria’s worsening security challenges, the Senate has passed a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police across the country.
The bill, widely regarded as one of the most far-reaching constitutional reforms of the 10th National Assembly, was approved on Wednesday after a clause-by-clause consideration and a manual voting process in which more than two-thirds of senators voted in support.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the passage of the bill following the presentation of a report by the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.
If eventually enacted, the legislation will fundamentally alter Nigeria’s policing structure by ending the Federal Government’s exclusive control over law enforcement and creating state police services to operate alongside the Nigeria Police Force.
A key provision of the bill empowers governors to appoint Commissioners of Police for their respective states, subject to confirmation by the State Houses of Assembly.
While state police commands will be headed by commissioners appointed at the state level, the federal police structure will remain intact under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police.
The amendment also grants governors the authority to issue lawful written directives on public safety and the maintenance of order within their states.
To address concerns about potential political abuse, the bill includes safeguards prohibiting state police from arresting, detaining, investigating or targeting any individual, political party or group solely for criticising the government, except where permitted by law.
The passage of the bill marks a significant victory for advocates of state policing, who have long argued that decentralising security management is essential to combating banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other crimes that have overwhelmed the country’s centralised policing system.
Supporters believe state police will improve intelligence gathering, strengthen community policing and enable faster responses to security threats at the grassroots level.
However, despite clearing the Senate, the proposal is yet to become law. It must still secure approval from at least two-thirds of the State Houses of Assembly and fulfil other constitutional requirements before it can take effect.
The development represents a major step towards restructuring Nigeria’s security architecture and could reshape policing in the country if it successfully completes the constitutional amendment process.
