KEY POINTS
- The Senate has passed a constitutional amendment bill creating a framework for state police while retaining the federal police structure.
- State police will handle local security matters, while federal police will continue to oversee terrorism, cybercrime, border security, and other national issues.
- The bill still requires approval from at least 24 state assemblies and presidential assent before it can become law.
In a landmark move aimed at addressing Nigeria’s worsening security challenges, the Senate has approved a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police across the country.
The development represents one of the most significant reforms to Nigeria’s security architecture since the return to democratic governance in 1999.
The bill, which was passed on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, provides a legal framework for individual states to establish and operate their own police services while maintaining the existing federal policing structure.
The Senate passed the constitutional amendment after lawmakers considered and adopted all 26 clauses of the proposed legislation during deliberations in the Committee of the Whole.
The bill was sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele as an executive proposal submitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Describing the legislation as one of the most consequential constitutional amendments in Nigeria’s democratic history, Bamidele argued that the country’s current centralized policing system has become inadequate in responding to contemporary security threats.
According to him, Nigeria faces a growing range of security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence, farmer-herder clashes, cybercrime, and other forms of organized criminal activity. He said these threats require a more localized and responsive policing structure.
How the State Police System Will Operate
Under the proposed arrangement, states that wish to establish their own police forces must first enact enabling laws through their respective state Houses of Assembly.
In addition, such states will be required to comply with minimum operational and regulatory standards that will be set by the National Assembly.
The bill creates a dual policing structure in which both federal and state police forces will coexist, with clearly defined areas of responsibility.
While state police agencies will focus on enforcing state laws, maintaining public order, preventing crime, and protecting lives and property within their jurisdictions, the federal police will continue to oversee matters of national importance.
One of the major concerns surrounding state policing has been the possibility of political interference by state governors.
To address these concerns, the bill contains provisions designed to prevent abuse of police powers.
The legislation specifically prohibits governors from directing state police forces to target individuals, political opponents, groups, or organizations.
It also forbids the use of state police for partisan, ethnic, religious, or personal interests, with the aim of ensuring professionalism, neutrality, and respect for citizens’ rights.
