House Passes State Police Amendment Bill, Scales Second Reading in Senate

Nigeria is moving closer to establishing state police forces after the House of Representatives passed a constitution amendment bill aimed at decentralizing policing powers. The bill, which also cleared the second reading in the Senate, represents a major breakthrough in a long-standing national conversation about enhancing internal security.

The proposed legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to Provide for the Establishment of State Police and for Related Matters (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026,” seeks to formally recognize both federal and state police structures. This move is seen as crucial for addressing the country's escalating security challenges more effectively.

Lawmakers emphasized that the bill incorporates safeguards to prevent potential abuse of power by state governments, a primary concern raised against the idea of state policing. The National Assembly would set the legal framework and minimum operational standards for state police, ensuring they align with national security objectives. A state police outfit can only become operational after its establishment is approved by the relevant state House of Assembly and certified to meet these national standards.

The House of Representatives overwhelmingly supported the bill, with 289 members voting in favor, one abstention, and no opposition. This broad cross-party endorsement highlights a consensus on the need for significant police reform. The legislation amends Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution to accommodate the new policing structure, granting the National Assembly the authority to define the powers and administration of the federal police while setting the parameters for state-level forces.

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This bill adequately addresses those concerns through several safeguards.