BREAKING: House of Reps Passes State Police Bill

BREAKING: House of Reps Passes State Police Bill

The House of Representatives has passed the constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish State Police in Nigeria, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to tackle rising insecurity through decentralised policing.

Lawmakers approved the bill during plenary on Thursday as part of the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution, paving the way for one of the most far-reaching security reforms in Nigeria’s democratic history.

The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Constitution to allow states to establish and operate their own police services alongside the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). At present, policing is exclusively controlled by the Federal Government, with the Nigeria Police Force serving as the country’s only constitutionally recognised police institution.

The passage of the bill comes amid increasing calls for State Police as Nigeria grapples with persistent security challenges, including banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, communal clashes and other violent crimes across various regions.

Supporters of the proposal argue that a decentralised policing structure would improve intelligence gathering, enhance community policing and enable faster responses to security threats at the local level. They also believe governors and local authorities are better positioned to understand the unique security concerns within their states.

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The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Benjamin Kalu, had previously described the establishment of State Police as a critical step toward strengthening Nigeria’s security framework.

According to proponents, the current centralised policing system has become overstretched due to the country’s growing population and increasingly complex security landscape.

The push for State Police in Nigeria has gained momentum in recent months following consultations involving the Presidency, state governors, security agencies, lawmakers and civil society organisations.

President Bola Tinubu’s administration has repeatedly expressed support for discussions around policing reforms, with many governors also backing the proposal as a means of improving security at the grassroots level.

However, the initiative has continued to spark debate among stakeholders.

While advocates maintain that state-controlled police formations would improve security and accountability, critics have raised concerns that state governments could misuse such forces for political purposes, particularly during elections and periods of political tension.

To address these concerns, lawmakers have indicated that constitutional safeguards, oversight mechanisms and operational guidelines would be incorporated into the framework to prevent abuse and ensure professionalism.

Despite its passage by the House of Representatives, the bill has not yet become law.

As a constitutional amendment, it must still secure concurrence from the Senate and be approved by at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly before it can be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent.

If eventually enacted, the legislation would fundamentally reshape Nigeria’s policing system and represent one of the most significant constitutional reforms since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

The latest development is expected to reignite nationwide conversations on security sector reforms, federalism and the devolution of powers within the Nigerian federation.

BREAKING: House of Reps Passes State Police Bill