Sanwo-Olu Tours Flood-hit Lagos Communities, Orders Urgent Drainage Works, Long-term Fixes

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday embarked on an extensive inspection of flood-ravaged communities in Eti Osa, assuring affected residents of immediate relief measures and long-term infrastructure projects to tackle the persistent flooding that has displaced families, disrupted businesses and submerged roads.

The governor, accompanied by Deputy Governor Dr Obafemi Hamzat, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab and other members of the State Executive Council, spent more than six hours assessing the devastation in Ogombo, Awoyaya, Sangotedo, Gbetu-Iwerekun and Chevron, where weeks of heavy rainfall left many communities under water.

According to a statement by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, the inspection was aimed at evaluating the extent of the damage and identifying both immediate and permanent solutions to the flooding crisis.

Residents used the opportunity to present their grievances, lamenting the destruction of homes, impassable roads and the disruption of commercial activities caused by the slow recession of floodwaters.

Sanwo-Olu sympathised with the affected residents and assured them that the state government had already begun clearing blocked drainage channels and removing obstructions along natural waterways to accelerate the discharge of stormwater.

The governor explained that investigations revealed that much of the flooding resulted from blocked natural tributaries and drainage canals, worsened in several locations by indiscriminate refuse dumping and unapproved developments built on natural water channels, which hindered the free flow of water into the lagoon.

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As an immediate intervention, he announced plans to construct bridge deck systems in low-lying communities such as Ogombo and Gbetu-Iwerekun to facilitate faster drainage, while a comprehensive dredging of the Ikota River and the removal of all encroachments along the river course would provide a lasting solution.

“Over the last two days that we have recorded a slowdown in rainfall, it is important we quickly come out and see where we need to do drainage improvements and additional investment in constructing infrastructure that would help clear the natural water channels,” the governor said.

He noted that although the unprecedented rainfall recorded over the past three weeks contributed significantly to the flooding, human activities had compounded the problem.

“Given the volume of rainfall we have witnessed in the last three weeks, we discovered that the major factor responsible for the flooding is natural occurrence, even though we have done our best to preserve and protect the natural channels of water.

“However, in recent times, we have observed constriction and impediments arising from developments along the natural flow of water.”

Sanwo-Olu said aerial drone footage confirmed that several structures obstructing natural drainage routes were erected without approval, reducing the waterways’ capacity to discharge stormwater into the lagoon.

He also attributed flooding in some locations to extensive land reclamation and soil filling, which trapped water and necessitated mechanical excavation to restore proper drainage.

During his inspection of Chevron Drive, the governor observed that some property developments had blocked critical water channels, resulting in flooding across Victoria Garden City, Ajiran, Osapa London and Orchid Road.

He disclosed that the state government had already commenced the demolition and removal of structures obstructing the Ikota River corridor to reopen key outlets for floodwater.

“If we are able to open these two water outlets, this will significantly relieve the pressure we have seen even from the Orchid and Osapa London axis of Eti Osa. The work is ongoing and we hope these measures will bring lasting solutions to the problem,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Sanwo-Olu Tours Flood-hit Lagos Communities, Orders Urgent Drainage Works, Long-term Fixes

National Assembly moves to shield state police from governors, political interference

The National Assembly has unveiled plans to ensure that the proposed state police system operates independently of governors, political actors, criminal networks and other vested interests as part of ongoing constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.

The assurance was given by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who said lawmakers are working on robust legal safeguards to guarantee the operational, administrative and financial independence of state police services once they are established.

Speaking while responding to concerns raised by stakeholders over the proposed creation of state police, Bamidele acknowledged that many Nigerians remain apprehensive about decentralised policing due to the country’s historical experience during the First Republic, when regional governments exercised considerable control over local police formations.

According to the senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, the National Assembly recognises those concerns and is determined to prevent any future abuse by embedding constitutional checks and balances into the proposed framework.

A key proposal under consideration is to make funding for state police a first-line constitutional charge, similar to the funding arrangement currently enjoyed by Nigeria’s judiciary. Bamidele explained that the measure would ensure state police institutions receive statutory funding directly, preventing governors from using financial control to influence policing decisions or punish security agencies that refuse to carry out political directives.

He cited the constitutional funding model for the judiciary, noting that judicial officers do not require executive approval for routine expenditures because their funding is protected by the Constitution.

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“The Commissioner of Police and the State Police Service Commission must have a guaranteed source of funds provided for in the Constitution so that the police chief will not be subject to the whims and caprices of a state governor,” Bamidele said.

He warned that without such protection, governors could withhold funding whenever state police authorities refuse to comply with political instructions.

To address this, lawmakers are considering a constitutional provision that would earmark a fixed percentage of every state’s annual budget specifically for the operations of state police, with clear guidelines on how the funds can be accessed and managed.

In addition to guaranteed funding, the National Assembly is considering the establishment of independent State Police Service Commissions to oversee recruitment, promotions, discipline and other personnel matters. The proposed commissions are expected to reduce executive influence over appointments and operations while promoting professionalism, accountability and merit within the new policing system.

Lawmakers are also working on provisions that will clearly define the relationship between the proposed state police and the Nigeria Police Force, ensuring effective collaboration without jurisdictional conflicts and strengthening national security coordination.

The renewed push for state police comes amid worsening insecurity across Nigeria, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence, armed robbery and attacks on rural communities. Governors, traditional rulers, security experts and civil society organisations have repeatedly argued that Nigeria’s centralised policing structure has become overstretched and requires reform to improve intelligence gathering, community policing and rapid emergency response.

Supporters of the proposal believe locally controlled police services will be more familiar with the communities they serve, enabling quicker responses to security threats and stronger partnerships with residents. However, critics have warned that without adequate safeguards, state police could be used by governors to intimidate political opponents, suppress dissent or influence elections.

Bamidele said the National Assembly is determined to ensure those fears do not materialise by creating a constitutional framework that protects the independence of the proposed security outfit while guaranteeing accountability, professionalism and respect for human rights.

The proposal forms part of the ongoing Constitution Review being undertaken by the National Assembly to strengthen governance and improve national security. Any amendment creating state police must secure approval by both chambers of the National Assembly and be endorsed by at least 24 of Nigeria’s 36 State Houses of Assembly before becoming law.

If passed, the reform would represent one of the most significant changes to Nigeria’s policing system since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999.

National Assembly moves to shield state police from governors, political interference

Reps drop own State Police bill, adopt Tinubu’s version in major constitutional reform

The House of Representatives has resolved to withdraw its earlier State Police Bill and adopt the Executive Bill transmitted by President Bola Tinubu, marking a significant shift in the National Assembly’s ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s security architecture through constitutional amendment.

Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, announced the decision on Tuesday while declaring open the 2026 National Assembly Open Week in Abuja. He explained that the Executive Bill is “more robust and more comprehensive” than the version previously passed by the House.

The decision effectively halts plans to harmonise the House and Senate versions of the earlier proposal, with lawmakers now set to begin fresh legislative consideration of the President’s bill.

Abbas said the Executive Bill incorporates additional constitutional safeguards developed by a presidential committee chaired by the President’s Chief of Staff and former Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila.

According to the Speaker, Nigeria’s growing security challenges have underscored the urgent need for a decentralised policing system.

“The deeper lesson is that a nation of this magnitude cannot be policed in perpetuity from a single command in Abuja,” Abbas said.

He noted that although the House had already passed its own State Police proposal through the Constitution Review Committee led by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, lawmakers would now recall that version to allow the Executive Bill to take precedence.

“I am able to share a development that speaks to the seriousness with which this administration regards the safety of Nigerians. His Excellency the President has now transmitted to the National Assembly an Executive version of the State Police Bill, one that is more robust and more comprehensive than the version this House earlier passed,” Abbas stated.

He assured Nigerians that the legislation would receive expedited consideration because of its importance to national security.

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Responding to concerns that the proposal could be rushed through the National Assembly, Abbas insisted that the bill would undergo a transparent legislative process, including public hearings and stakeholder engagement.

He assured Nigerians that the proposed framework contains robust constitutional safeguards designed to prevent abuse of state police by governors or other political actors.

According to him, states will only be allowed to establish their own police services after meeting strict constitutional requirements relating to accountability, operational capacity, funding and respect for fundamental human rights.

“There will be accountability, the protection of fundamental human rights, and firm boundaries between federal and state authority, so that no state police force may ever be reduced to the private instrument of a governor,” he said.

Abbas also invited Nigerians, civil society organisations and security experts to participate in the public hearing process by submitting memoranda before the bill is passed into law.

President Tinubu, in a letter dated June 15, 2026, formally transmitted the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026 to both chambers of the National Assembly, urging lawmakers to accord it expedited consideration.

The President said the proposed legislation would create a constitutional framework for establishing State Police Services to complement the Nigeria Police Force in tackling the country’s worsening security challenges.

According to Tinubu, the bill builds on the constitutional amendment work already carried out by the House of Representatives while introducing additional safeguards recommended by a presidential committee established to review the framework for decentralised policing.

“The proposed legislation is a critical component of our administration’s strategy to reorganise Nigeria’s security architecture to better protect our citizens,” the President wrote.

The Executive Bill is expected to establish a dual policing structure, allowing both federal and state police institutions to operate within clearly defined constitutional responsibilities.

While State Police would primarily handle local law enforcement and community policing, the Federal Government would retain authority over national security matters such as terrorism, border protection, organised crime, intelligence coordination and other offences with nationwide implications.

For more than two decades, successive administrations, state governors, constitutional lawyers, security experts and civil society organisations have advocated the creation of State Police, arguing that Nigeria’s centrally controlled policing system has become overstretched.

Supporters believe decentralised policing would strengthen intelligence gathering, improve emergency response, deepen community policing and enable quicker responses to banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, communal clashes and other violent crimes.

The debate has intensified in recent years following the emergence of regional security outfits such as Amotekun in the South-West, Ebube Agu in parts of the South-East and several state-backed vigilante organisations established to complement federal security agencies.

However, critics have consistently warned that state police could be misused by governors to intimidate political opponents or interfere in elections if adequate constitutional safeguards are not entrenched.

To address those concerns, the Executive Bill reportedly includes stronger accountability measures, stricter oversight mechanisms and constitutional conditions that states must satisfy before establishing their own police services.

Importantly, the proposed amendment does not compel every state to establish a police force immediately. Instead, eligible states would be required to meet clearly defined constitutional standards before creating their own policing institutions.

The proposed constitutional amendment must secure the support of two-thirds of members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives before proceeding to the 36 State Houses of Assembly.

Under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, at least 24 state legislatures must approve the amendment before it can be transmitted to the President for assent.

With the House now aligning with the Executive proposal, attention is expected to shift to public hearings, stakeholder consultations and detailed legislative scrutiny of what could become the most far-reaching reform of Nigeria’s internal security system since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999.

Reps drop own State Police bill, adopt Tinubu’s version in major constitutional reform