The House of Representatives he passed a bill on constitutional amendments that aims to establish a state police formations across Nigeria, marking a major development in the country’s long-running debate over decentralized policing and security reforms.
The draft bill titled “A Bill to Amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for the Establishment of the State Police; and Related Matters (Sixth Amendment) Bill, 2026”, was approved during consideration by the Committee of the Whole, chaired by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
The motion received overwhelming support, with about 288 MPs voting in favor and only four against after Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu presented the arguments.
If ultimately passed, the amendment would formally create both federal and state police structures by amending Section 214 of the Constitution.
Under the proposal, state governments would be allowed to establish their own police services through legislation passed by their respective Houses of Representatives, provided they meet nationally prescribed standards.
The bill also spells out the conditions under which federal police could intervene in a state’s internal security affairs, including situations involving a complete breakdown of law and order, requests by the governor or circumstances in which state police become unable to function effectively.
Another key provision relates to police leadership, proposing that the Inspector General of Police be appointed by the President on the advice of the National Police Council from among officers of the Federal Police, subject to confirmation by the National Assembly.
The passage of the law marks a significant milestone in efforts to reform Nigeria’s security architecture as the country continues to grapple with challenges including banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other forms of violent crime.
However, other constitutional amendment processes must still be completed before the proposal becomes law.
