State Police Bill Heads to 36 State Assemblies as Nigeria Moves Closer to Historic Security Reform
Nigeria is on the verge of one of its most significant security reforms in recent years as the National Assembly prepares to transmit the proposed State Police Bill to the 36 state Houses of Assembly this week, PulseNets learnt.
The transmission represents a crucial stage in the constitutional amendment process designed to establish state police formations across the federation.
Should the proposal secure the endorsement of at least 24 state Houses of Assembly, it will be forwarded to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for presidential assent.
The development follows the Senate’s passage of the constitutional amendment bill after deliberating on recommendations presented by lawmakers overseeing the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, confirmed that arrangements for transmitting the legislation had been completed. He disclosed that state governors and members of the various state legislatures were already expecting the bill.
PulseNets learnt that consultations with relevant stakeholders were concluded before the Senate approved the amendment, ensuring that state governments and lawmakers were fully informed about the next phase of the constitutional process.
“The bill for the creation of state police will get to the states this week. The states’ speakers have met and are awaiting the bill from the National Assembly.
“The state governors are expecting it too, even with their presence in the Senate chamber when the bill was being considered and passed.”
The proposed legislation now enters a decisive phase, as Nigeria’s Constitution requires any constitutional amendment to receive the approval of no fewer than two-thirds of the country’s state legislatures before it can become law.
The bill seeks to introduce a dual policing structure that would empower state governments to establish and administer their own police services, while the Nigeria Police Force continues to oversee matters relating to national security.
Under the proposed arrangement, the Federal Government would retain exclusive responsibility for terrorism, border security, cybercrime, arms trafficking, and other offences falling within the federal jurisdiction.
Supporters of the legislation argue that creating state police will strengthen grassroots security by improving intelligence gathering, enhancing local response capabilities, and allowing security agencies to address community-specific threats more effectively.
The proposal has continued to gather momentum amid growing concerns over persistent insecurity across several parts of the country, including banditry, kidnapping, communal violence, and other criminal activities.
PulseNets reports that lawmakers incorporated several safeguards into the bill to prevent the abuse of state-controlled police by political office holders.
Among the provisions are measures prohibiting the deployment of state police to intimidate critics, opposition figures, or citizens exercising their constitutional rights. The bill also empowers the Federal Government to intervene where national security is threatened, public order collapses, or fundamental human rights are violated.
The proposed constitutional amendment has received widespread support from governors and leaders of state legislatures nationwide.
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures had previously endorsed the initiative, describing state policing as a necessary response to Nigeria’s escalating security challenges.
Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor, also assured Nigerians that state assemblies would give the bill thorough consideration once it is officially transmitted.
Several governors have equally expressed support for the proposal.
Among them is Hyacinth Alia, who described the Senate’s approval of the constitutional amendment as a major milestone toward strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.
According to him, state-controlled policing will provide a better understanding of local communities and their unique security realities, thereby improving efforts to tackle crime.
Also Read: State Police Debate Gains Momentum as Afenifere, Ohanaeze, Arewa Youths Endorse Reform
The Forum of Progressive Speakers under the ruling All Progressives Congress has also pledged to support the speedy ratification of the bill, particularly in APC-controlled state assemblies.
The forum, however, emphasised the importance of establishing effective oversight mechanisms to guarantee professionalism, accountability, and full respect for human rights within any future state police system.
