Nigeria Senate advances bill to establish state police

Nigeria's Senate has advanced a bill to establish state police forces, a move proponents say is crucial for tackling the country's escalating security crises. The legislation, which passed its second reading, aims to devolve policing powers and enhance intelligence gathering at the local level.

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The establishment of state police will improve intelligence gathering: Local police officers are better equipped to obtain actionable intelligence from communities because they understand local languages, customs and social structures.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele championed the bill, arguing that a centralized police force struggles to address the diverse and localized threats facing Nigeria, such as terrorism, banditry, and mass abductions. He emphasized that local officers, familiar with regional languages and customs, are better positioned to gather actionable intelligence. "Modern policing relies heavily on intelligence rather than force," Bamidele stated, asserting that state police would significantly bolster Nigeria's intelligence architecture.

The proposed legislation seeks to create both federal and state police structures, define their responsibilities, establish State Police Service Commissions, and transfer policing from the exclusive to the concurrent legislative list. Bamidele stressed that the reform is not intended to weaken national unity but rather to strengthen the federation by enabling each government level to fulfill its constitutional duties more effectively.

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Modern policing relies heavily on intelligence rather than force. State Police will significantly strengthen Nigeria’s intelligence architecture.

Concerns about potential abuse of power by state governors were addressed, with Bamidele assuring that the bill includes safeguards. He acknowledged this as a major concern but insisted the proposed measures adequately mitigate the risks, aiming to balance devolved authority with national security objectives.

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The proposed amendment does not weaken national unity. Rather, it strengthens the Federation by enabling each level of government to effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities.