The Senate has passed a landmark constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police services across Nigeria, marking a significant step toward overhauling the country’s security architecture.
The bill, transmitted by President Bola Tinubu as part of broader efforts to tackle insecurity, proposes a dual policing system comprising a Federal Police Service and separate State Police Services.
The development comes amid growing concerns over rising insecurity, kidnappings, and violent crimes across the country, with increasing calls for a decentralised policing structure that can respond more effectively to local security challenges.
The bill scaled third reading after securing the support of more than two-thirds of senators following extensive debate and clause-by-clause consideration on the Senate floor.
Presenting the bill, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele outlined its key provisions, which seek to redefine policing responsibilities between federal and state authorities while introducing safeguards against abuse.
Under the proposed framework, each state police service will be headed by a Commissioner of Police appointed by the governor on the recommendation of the National Police Council and subject to confirmation by the State House of Assembly.
The bill also empowers governors to issue lawful policy directives to state police commissioners on matters relating to public safety and public order within their states.
However, the legislation includes safeguards aimed at protecting civil liberties and preventing political misuse of state police structures.
One provision expressly prohibits a state Commissioner of Police from arresting, detaining, investigating, or deploying force against any individual, political party, or group solely for criticising the government, except where such actions are permitted under the law.
While granting states greater responsibility for internal security, the bill preserves the authority of the Federal Police Service to intervene in exceptional circumstances.
According to the proposed amendment, federal authorities may temporarily assume responsibility for security operations in a state where there is an actual or imminent breakdown of public order that the state police service is unable or unwilling to address.
Federal intervention may also occur at the request of a state governor.
The bill stipulates that such intervention must be authorised in writing by the President, clearly stating the reasons, geographical scope, functions, and duration of the operation.
In addition, the President must notify the governor, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, the National Police Council, and the National Assembly within 48 hours of authorizing the intervention.
Any extension beyond the period prescribed by law would require approval from the Senate.
Proponents of state policing argue that the reform will strengthen local intelligence gathering, improve community-based security operations, and enable faster responses to criminal activities and emergencies.
President Tinubu has previously described state police as an inevitable solution to Nigeria’s worsening security challenges, urging lawmakers to expedite the necessary constitutional amendments.
Supporters believe the new structure will empower communities, local governments, and states to play more active roles in maintaining law and order while complementing the efforts of federal security agencies.
Despite widespread support, critics have raised concerns about the potential for political interference by state governments.
Some stakeholders fear that governors could attempt to use state police structures to intimidate political opponents, suppress dissent, or influence local political processes.
Others have pointed to funding challenges and the risk of ethnic or communal tensions as potential obstacles to the successful implementation of state policing.
The inclusion of constitutional safeguards and federal oversight mechanisms is intended to address many of these concerns.
